Why Maria Sakkari's semi-final record deserves respect after Giannis Antetokounmpo comments - 'No failure in sports'

Maria Sakkari appears to have a hurdle to overcome. Over the last three seasons the world No. 9 has been one of the more consistent performers on the WTA Tour, reaching 20 semi-finals since the start of 2021.

The only other player to make 20 WTA semi-finals in that time is world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who has a chance to make her 21st when she faces Petra Martic at the Madrid Open on Wednesday. Ad The problem for Sakkari has been her conversion rate when reaching the last four.

WTA MadridSabalenka passes Cirstea test with Sakkari and Gauff also through in Madrid27/04/2023 AT 13:54 While Swiatek has scooped up 12 titles over the last three years, including two Grand Slams and six WTA 1000s, Sakkari has not lifted a trophy since 2019. But if there’s a temptation to say Sakkari has fallen short considering how many semi-finals she has reached, her impressive consistency should also be commended. Sakkari’s mark of 20 semi-finals since the start of 2021 is clear of world No.

2 Aryna Sabalenka (16), world No. 3 Jessica Pegula (11) and world No. 4 Ons Jabeur (14).

That she is level with Swiatek in such a statistic says plenty. And Sakkari has done it on big stages too. Last year she made two WTA 1000 finals in Indian Wells and Guadalajara.

This season she reached the last four in Indian Wells. And in 2021 she made the semis of the French Open and US Open. Those last two results might still sting – losing to Barbora Krejcikova at the 2021 French Open after having a match point and then getting beaten in straight sets by qualifier Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open – but the overall picture over the last three years is still one of success for Sakkari, despite the lack of titles.