Recently Ash Barty defeated Maria Sakkari at the Cincinnatti Premier 5 tournament when they met in the quarterfinals. On that occasion, Barty came back from 5-7 in the first set to crush Sakkari 6-2, 6-0 in the next two sets.
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The players met again in the third round at the US Open. Barty was up a break at 4-3 but dropped serve to see the score at 4-4. Sakkari won the next game to have the Australian under pressure.
Barty then went on a three-game streak to claim the first set.
The world no. 2 Barty broke in the fifth game of the second set and then consolidated the break to lead 4-2. Another break came with Sakkari serving to stay in the match at 3-5. Barty broke her Greek opponent to love to take the match 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes.
“Maria is an incredible competitor and great mover around the court,” Barty said. “She really brings her best stuff when she’s on the move, so it was important for me to try and dictate without going into her patterns too much.”
“It’s tricky to play a friend, it always is,” Barty added. “I was really happy to be able to finish off both of those sets today.”
Barty has matched her best performance at a US Open by reaching the fourth round. She next takes on Wang Qiang from China. The winner could face Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.
Alex de Minaur claimed his first top-ten scalp at a US Open when he took out Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
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After the match de Minaur said he was playing like a robot, just trying to focus on each point and not let emotions get the better of him.
“The crowd support was amazing,” De Minaur, who claimed his maiden ATP Tour title last month in Atlanta, said after the match. “I had a bit of a thrill last year against Cilic. Was two-sets-to-love up again and I’m glad I could finally get the win.”
de Minaur booked himself a match against former world no. 3 Grigor Dimitrov. Both players will be looking to reach their first US Open quarterfinal.
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