Sakkari shows remarkable resilience, defeats Pegula and secure spot in 2023 DC Open Final.

Saturday, 05 August 2023 at 22:27

Maria Sakkari defeated the first seed Jessica Pegula and secured her spot in the final of the Mubadala Citi DC Open with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory.

The Greek tennis player has established herself as one of the best in the last five years, maintaining her position in the top-30 since 2018 and staying within the top-10 since 2021.

However, Sakkari has faced difficulties in showcasing her abilities in the decisive rounds. Between 2021 and 2022, she reached 15 semifinals, the same number as Iga Swiatek, but only managed to reach four finals, without winning any titles.

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In 2023, she lost in the semifinals at Linz, Doha (against Pegula), Indian Wells, Madrid Open, and Berlin, accumulating 20 semifinals in three years, but only four finals and a single title.

In her match against Pegula, Sakkari took the first break opportunity in the third game, an advantage she managed with ease on her service and with a superior level compared to her rival. With the score at 5-3, Sakkari secured another break as soon as she had the chance to take the first set.

The Greek player had a 68% first serve accuracy, winning 80% of those points, and 57% success with her second serve, while not conceding any break opportunities to her opponent.

Although Pegula showed strength in her first serve (69% accuracy, winning 67%), her second serve in crucial moments was key in giving Sakkari an advantage.

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The second set saw Sakkari maintain her lead, once again taking the first break opportunity and gaining a 4-1 advantage, seemingly sealing the match for Pegula.

However, the American remained composed despite being behind, and the pressure got the better of Sakkari. Pegula won five consecutive games to extend the match to a third set.

In the decisive moments of the match, the pressure on Sakkari was evident, but she handled it admirably. In the sixth game, she secured the crucial break to take a 4-2 lead.

Sakkari will play her first final of the season, with her last appearance in such an instance being at the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open in 2022. To find out her opponent in the final, she will have to wait for the match between local player Coco Gauff and Ludmila Samsonova, scheduled for the second round.

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Sakkari speeeeeed 💨 @mariasakkari with some stellar defensive play! #MubadalaCitiDCOpen

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8:20 PM · Aug 5, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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