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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday March 29, 2020

 
Maria Sakkari

Maria Sakkari saved six match points and advanced past Jessica Pegula to reach the quarterfinals in Miami.

Photo Source: Getty

Maria Sakkari looked to be in a world of hurt in the third set of her round of 16 match with Jessica Pegula on Monday at the Miami Open, but the World No.23 produced tremendous tennis in the clutch, saving five match points while serving at 4-5 in the third set—the first four on clean and courageous winners—and another in the third-set tiebreaker with Pegula serving at 6-5, also a clean winner.

Tennis Express


“I think once you're in the match, you just don't think that I saved six match points already,” she told reporters after the match. “It's just that one at a time. I think I came off with some good shots and clever choices and just worked, and it went my way. You know, maybe next time it's going to go the other way. This is, you know, tennis—sometimes it goes your way; sometimes it doesn't.”


Eventually, Sakkari came through, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(6) to set a quarterfinal clash with World No.2 Naomi Osaka. The Greek owns a 1-3 lifetime record against Osaka, with the pair having met last in Brisbane in 2020 (a three-set win by Osaka).

“I will have very tough match against Naomi next round, but I believe that I have a day off, which is good,” Sakkari said. “I'm gonna practice and sweat it out tomorrow. I feel like, you know, I'm playing great tennis. Of course she's a very, very tough opponent for me and for everyone. But I believe in myself…”


 

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