Sakkari advances to semi-finals in Guadalajara and advances to WTA Finals

Carlos Rodriguez, The Associated Press

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Greece’s Maria Sakkari defeated Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Guadalajara Tennis Open on Friday night to earn a ticket to the Finals in the process. of the WTA.

Sixth player in the world and fourth seed of the tournament, Sakkari will face, in the semi-final of the tournament, the Czech Marie Bouzkova. She benefited from the withdrawal of the Russian Anna Kalinskaya when Bouzkova led 5-2 in the first set.

The other semi-final will see Belarusian Victoria Azarenka take on American Jessica Pegula.

In addition, Sakkari qualified for the WTA Finals for the second year in a row. Last year, in Mexico, she made her way to the semi-finals.

In 2022, the competition will be held in Fort Worth, Texas from October 31 through November 7.

The list of qualified players also includes Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Pegula, Coco Gauff, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s a lot harder to do it twice in a row than once. That’s what I’m most proud of,” said the 27-year-old Greek.

“My season was difficult, at least starting (from the tournament) in Indian Wells, but at least I gave myself this opportunity to finish the year strong. I think just qualifying for Fort Worth is the greatest gift I could give myself.”