World No.6 Maria Sakkari has began her summer season in fashion, cruising previous injury-hit Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova in straight units on the United Cup in Perth.
Sakkari’s 6-3 6-2 victory on Friday gave Greece an unassailable 3-0 lead within the tie after world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas and Despina Papamichail posted robust three-set singles wins a day earlier.
Tomova went blow for blow with Sakkari early at RAC Arena.
But when Tomova tweaked her left calf with the scores locked at 3-3, the match turned on its head.
Sakkari held serve after which broke straight after the world No.90 took an harm break on the way in which to successful the primary set in 52 minutes.
With Tomova’s mobility compromised, Sakkari merely moved her opponent across the court docket as a lot as attainable within the second set to seal the win in 87 minutes.
Sakkari dedicated 22 unforced errors within the first set, however she made simply 4 within the second in a a lot cleaner show.
Her 19 winners for the match dwarfed that of her opponent (10).
“We’re very happy to get three wins,” Sakkari mentioned on court docket after the match.
“I’m very grateful that I actually have a great team behind me.
“They’re wonderful folks. We get alongside very well. We love coming right here with the big Greek group. We need to make it to the tip (the ultimate).”
Sakkari made the semi-finals at the French Open and US Open in 2021, and this year she reached the semi-finals of the season-ending WTA Finals.
The 27-year-old is eager to break through for a maiden grand slam triumph in 2023, and she’s taken her fitness to a new level during the off-season in a bid to achieve her goal.
“He (my coach) pushed me actually arduous and it is one thing I actually love to do,” Sakkari mentioned.
“Going to the health club is like my pastime.
“If I’m not fit on the court, I feel like I can’t play my best tennis.
“When I really feel like I can transfer nicely and I can hit highly effective pictures, then I really feel like I’m an excellent and harmful participant.”
