Sakkari: “I played much better than our last duel”

Maria Sakkari emphasized that she lost many point games against Karolina Pliskova before defeating her in Indian Wells, emphasized that she always comes back in the second and third games of her matches, analyzed Petra Kvitova and Jessica Pegula and asked to rest for the sequel.

Analytically: “He beat me two weeks ago in Dubai, he played really well. Today the level was good from both of us. I knew I would have to give my best, the level I had in the previous matches was not enough to beat Carolina. Fortunately, I played much better.

I know I had a lot of missed break points, I’m curious to see how many I had. She is always difficult to face because she serves extremely well and hits the ball hard. The conditions were better for me because it was cooler. This is a very nice court, it’s my first time at Stadium 3″.

How did she manage to come back in the third set after losing ten break points and Pliskova’s 0-2? “I’ve done it many times, to be down a break in the second or third set and find a way to ‘turn it around.’ It was one of those days, I was talking to myself, telling myself that I’ve broken enough times in the match, that I could do it again, that it didn’t matter that I was behind. It was a great game, I had nine break points, but I definitely had a lot more throughout the match.”

Next, she will play Petra Kvitova or Jessica Pegula. “I know both very well. I have played with Petra many times, but especially with Jess we have played quite a few times lately. They both play well, we’re here for a reason, we didn’t have walkovers. It will be different matches, Petra likes to hit the ball hard, play short points, Jess likes to rally and is very solid on the baseline, it will be interesting.”

As for her shots? “I will relax, eat and then go home to rest. I’m playing tomorrow, if I had a day off I might come to watch Sinner’s match with Wawrinka. I’ll see it on TV.”