Muchova more than enough for Sakkari

Karolina Muchova proved to be more than enough for off-the-boil fourth seed Maria Sakkari as the comeback Czech knocked out the Roland Garros fourth seed 7-6(5), 7-6(4) on Wednesday.

The 81st ranked winner missed seven months with an abdominal injury and was absent from the end of the US Open to the Miami event in late March.

But the one-time Top 20 contender made her Greek opponent the fifth Top 10 seed to lose here in barely three and a half days of play.

Muchova had to struggle to get the job done, requiring eight set points to capture the first set, with Sakkari threatening as she fought from 5-2 down.

The second set was equally challenging, with the winner ending it in two and a half hours as she forced Sakkari to save 13 of 16 break chances.

Muchova now plays Amanda Anisimova after the one-time Paris semi-finalist beat Croat Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-1.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Swiatek secures revenge win in Spain

Iga Swiatek took her revenge on Saturday to win the Madrid Masters over Aryna Sabenka a…

6 hours ago

Doctor’s orders: Heartbroken Sinner forced to miss Rome

Jannik Sinner's golden season was tarnished on Saturday, with the world No. 2 forced to…

6 hours ago

Lehecka Czechs out to send FAA to Madrid finals

Felix Auger-Aliassime received another stroke of luck on Friday as he advanced to the Madrid…

1 day ago

Rublev runs down Fritz for Madrid finals place

Andrey Rublev pounded 20 winners as he eliminated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3  in Madrid to move…

1 day ago

Alcaraz agony: Spaniard withdraws from Rome

The injury-marred season of Carlos Alcaraz jumped from bad to worse on Friday as the…

2 days ago

Ljubicic: Nadal could mimic Federer’s retirement plan

Rafael Nadal could well duplicate the 2022 retirement scenario of Roger Federer, announcing the end…

2 days ago