Tennis German Open: Maria Sakkari and Coco Gauff enter quarter-finals in Berlin
World No. 6 Maria Sakkari defeated qualifier Daria Saville of Australia 6-1, 7-5 in the second round of the German Open at Westenergie Sporthalle in Halle, Germany, on June 15
Coco Gauff moves ahead in German OpenMaria Sakkari advanced to her sixth quarter-finals of the season with her victory. The win against Daria Saville marked her 24th victory of the year. Therefore, the 26-year-old Greek sensation is now tied for the third-highest number of wins for the season.
Maria Sakkari had a great start to the opening set and took a quick 3-1 lead with a brilliant forehand winner. She easily cruised through the rest of the first set to win the 6-1. Daria Saville performed much better in the second set, matching her Greek opponent set for set. However, Sakkari found a crucial break with another forehand winner to take the lead before eventually serving to seal her victory.
Maria Sakkari fired 21 winners to ten unfocused errors to wrap up the match after one hour and 30 minutes of play.
In a post-match interview, No. 2 seed Maria Sakkari said, "I think the first set was almost perfect for me. Not many unforced errors; I was very aggressive and served well. I believe that Saville stepped up her game, and she started playing better. It was a very close second set. I stayed focused when I had to. I am glad about the way I played.
Maria Sakkari will next face No.6 seed Daria Kasatkina in a quarter-final showdown at the German Open on June 16.
Coco Gauff rolls into quarters in Germany
Seventh-seeded Coco Gauff of America defeated fellow compatriot Ann Li 6-2, 7-6 (2) in the first round of the Halle Open at Gerry Weber Stadion to secure a quarter-final spot.
Coco Gauff played her first match since reaching the finals at Roland Garros earlier this month. She fired five of her ten break points and five aces to secure a second-round spot after one hour and 30 minutes of play.
Coco Gauff started aggressively and wrapped up the first set in 35 minutes without facing any breakpoints. She tried to build on the momentum in the second set and broke Ann Li with a forehand winner. However, Ann Li found the perfect moment to use her trademark groundstrokes. She served for 5-4 and 6-5, but Coco Gauff soon regained her footing and won the set to secure her victory.