Maria Sakkari secures Berlin semifinal over Daria Kasatkina

This matchup was supposed to be spectacular yet it was quite disappointing as Sakkari really dominated her way past a player she never beat before 6-0 6-3.

Kasatkina has had Sakkari's number for a long time beating her several times in the past. One of those wins came in Madrid earlier this year and it seemed like this would be another close match. Save for 15 minutes in the 2nd set it was anything but close as Sakkari demonstrated her tennis skill in the best possible way beating her in straight sets.

The first set was very anti-climactic. Sakkari took an early break, and then added another and another one for the opening set bagel. There is really not much more to add except the fact that Kasatkina was all over the place.

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It was such an uncharacteristic display from a player who is generally very sturdy and doesn't miss much. She missed everything early and it continued in the early part of the 2nd set as well. She broke Kasatkina in the first game of the 2nd set but lost her serve in the next game. She broke her again and went up 3-1 but Kasatkina battled back to make it 3-3.

For a moment it seemed like the Russian found something that worked but it was only short-lived. Stepping her game up another level, Sakkari went on another run to close out the match 6-3 in the 2nd set. A stunning performance from the Greek who moves on to the semifinal.

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Through to a maiden semifinal on grass 🔜 🇬🇷 @mariasakkari records her first victory over Kasatkina to advance in Berlin! #bett1open

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