One way ticket to Fort Worth, Texas ✈️ No.4 seed @mariasakkari stays the course and punches her ticket to the @WTAFinals! #GDLOPENAKRON
Maria Sakkari overcomes Veronika Kudermetova in winner-take-all Guadalajara quarterfinal, secures last spot at WTA Finals
WTASaturday, 22 October 2022 at 05:02
In a battle that would see one of the two competitors book the last spot at the WTA Finals, Maria Sakkari outlasted Veronika Kudermetova at the Guadalajara Open Akron to not only reach the event's semifinal but also secure her berth to the year-ending WTA finale.
Sakkari withstood a late comeback from Kudermetova to prevail in a 6-1 5-7 6-4 victory, relying on her consistency to get out of trouble. The fourth seed saved 14 out of 15 break points, employing a reliable serve whenever her opponent began to apply pressure.
After blitzing through the opening set, Sakkari seemed to lose momentum as Kudermetova began to dictate play. The eighth seed finally broke the Sakkari serve at the fifth time of asking, ensuring a third set would take place.
It was only appropriate, considering both ladies were fighting not just for a spot in the semifinals but also the final seat to join the elite at the season-ending WTA Finals. Although Sakkari faced five break points, the World No.6 did not falter, saving each one. However, Kudermetova was unable to fight off the lone break point faced, allowing Sakkari to serve out the match after two hours and 35 minutes.
With the pressure of qualification off her chest, Sakkari can now focus on her next opponent, the winner between Czech Marie Bouzkova and Russian Anna Kalinskaya.
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