Maria Sakkari progresses to Berlin Open semi-finals after overcoming Marketa Vondrousova and sets up Donna Vekic clash

Maria Sakkari progressed to the Berlin Open semi-finals with a 7-6 6-1 win over Marketa Vondrousova, but was made to sweat after a nervy first set. Sakkari made a fine start after breaking Vondrousova in the first game and then followed that up by holding her serve to move 2-0 ahead. Ad However, any hopes of a comfortable win for the Greek were quickly extinguished in a first set that went right down to the wire.

WTA BerlinVekic stuns Rybakina with comeback to reach German Open quarters, Sakkari and Garcia progress21/06/2023 AT 11:29 The world No. 53 would win the next match on her serve and broke Sakkari at the second time of asking to wipe out her lead. Vondrousova’s service game was particularly impressive and moved into the lead after deuce in the fifth game.

After Sakkari levelled things up on her serve, she did the same by winning to love. There was to be no break of serve in the remainder of the first set, with both players showing their prowess from the baseline. Alcaraz secures semi-final place at Queen's as Norrie crashes out Djokovic to join Alcaraz, Rune at Hurlingham Tennis Classic to step up WImbledon preparations Bautista Agut stuns Medvedev to reach semi-final in Halle, Sinner pulls out injured A tie-break beckoned as the score went to 6-6, but this crucially went Sakkari's way to ultimately break the Czech's impressive resolve.

Despite losing her serve twice, Sakkari would prevail 9-7 after the tie-break after Vondrousova was left to rue not taking advantage of four set points. The world No. 8 finally moved ahead at 8-7 and ultimately drew first blood in the contest.