Sakkari and Kontaveit to meet in Ostrava final
The top two seeds are out in Ostrava, with a surprising final line-up now confirmed
Maria Sakkari (Panoramic)
Anett Kontaveit and Maria Sakkari will meet in the final of the J&T Banka Ostrava Open tomorrow – having dismissed the top two seeds from the tournament.
The unseeded Estonian sent second seed Petra Kvitova packing with a 6-0, 6-4 victory, while the Greek beat top seed Iga Swiatek 6-4, 7-5.
It was a massive relief for Sakkari, seeded fourth – she had lost her last nine semi-finals, including two in Grand Slams, at this year’s Roland-Garros and then at the US Open. It was a streak that stretched back over two years – to May 2019, when she went on to become champion in Rabat.
And Kontaveit ended home hopes by knocking out the Czech in a match that lasted just one hour and 11 minutes. Although Kvitova held a dominant advantage in their head-to-head, leading 5-2 coming into the encounter, the 30-year-old has great form at the semi-final stage, winning her last five on tour.
People in this post
More tennis news
Opening BJK Cup tie postponed after severe weather alert
“The way you talk to yourself before the matches” – Alcaraz on his success mantra against top players
Alcaraz v Zverev: Head-to-head, stats, quotes: Everything you need to know about their rivalry – updated ahead of meeting at 2024 ATP Finals
“Since Covid, they all suck” – debate around tennis balls intensifying again at ATP Finals
ATP Finals: Alcaraz beats Rublev to stay in contention for semi-final berth
