Tennis-Sakkari powers through Kvitova to reach U.S. Open fourth round

September 4, 2021

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Greek Maria Sakkari broke down twice Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova’s defences 6-4 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Saturday.

The 17th seed relied on her powerful serve once again, winning all but one of her first-serve points in the first set and firing off nine aces in the match as she never conceded a break on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In the second set, her Czech opponent dropped serve in the first game but refused to go quietly, fending off seven break points – including two in the third game to hold her serve – but could not match the power of Sakkari, who struck 13 winners.

“I think my serve was probably my biggest weapon today and of course playing in front of this crowd was unbelievable,” said Sakkari, who lost to Serena Williams in a fourth-round, three-set thriller a year ago in front of empty stands.

She next faces sixth seed and 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu of Canada.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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