via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 15, 2021 Poland’s Iga Swiatek in action during her quarter final match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 15, 2021 Poland’s Iga Swiatek in action during her quarter final match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
French Open’s defending champion Iga Swiatek has inarguably been the best female player at the French Open 2021 so far. She is the only athlete among the top 10 WTA players still active in the Major. The Polish player defeated Marta Kostyuk in straight sets in the fourth round in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Swiatek is now in the quarter-finals of the French Open 2021, where she’ll be up against Maria Sakkari who is in some incredible form at the moment. Even though it will be Sakkari’s first-ever quarter-final appearance at a Grand Slam, she has the talent and tenacity to stun the World No.9 player. Testimony to that fact is her previous round thrashing of fourth-seeded Sofia Kenin in straight sets.
via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 7, 2021. Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates winning her fourth-round match against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
However, it’ll not be easy for Sakkari since Swiatek is currently on an 11-match winning streak at the French Open. Interestingly, she has also won 22 straight sets at the Grand Slam so far.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
How can Maria Sakkari battle past Iga Swiatek?
If Sakkari is to win against Swiatek, she’ll have to start building pressure on her right from the beginning. The Greek player has one of the most powerful forehands in the world and will surely try to use it whenever she finds any room.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
via Reuters
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 7, 2021. Greece’s Maria Sakkari reacts during her fourth-round match against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Swiatek is an attacking player and thus, Sakkari has to improve her defense. If she manages to block some of her deadly forehands, she can definitely turn the tables around. Also, she will likely not use her drop shots too frequently since Swiatek is a player who loves to come forward after hitting 2-3 shots in a rally to stun her opponent. In such a situation, targeting her baseline consistently can work for Sakkari.
Sakkari is serving really well at the tournament so far. If she manages to improve her defense, she can certainly be a big threat to Swiatek.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans are quite excited about the clash which will take place tomorrow. Will Sakkari be able to end Swiatek’s winning streak and win her maiden Grand Slam in Paris this year?
Also Read: “Up for a Practice?”: Iga Swiatek Has a Perfect Response to Andy Murray and Andy Roddick Praise
