Maria Sakkari said she will “try to stay until the end” of the French Open after reaching her first major quarter-final with an emphatic win over Sofia Kenin.The Greek defeated No. 4 seed Kenin – a 2020 Roland Garros finalist – 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and eight minutes in the fourth round.
The No. 17 seed broke three times in each set and dominated the 22-year-old American – who saved a match point to make a minor fightback from 6-1, 5-1 down.
“I’m speechless because it’s the first time [reaching a major quarter-final], it’s one of my favourite tournaments,” Sakkari said in her on-court interview.
“I love Paris, I’m having a great time. I don’t want to leave anytime soon. I will try my best to stay until the end [of the tournament] for sure.
Finish Line Found 🏁@mariasakkari is headed to her first Grand Slam quarter-final with a 6-1, 6-3 win over 2020 finalist Kenin in just over an hour.
“I’m actually enjoying myself, that’s the most important thing. I’m enjoying my time on court. [Smiling] And I’m actually not torturing myself when I’m on court.”
The 25-year-old made 19 winners and 15 unforced errors, while winning 85% of her first serve points.
She will play either No. 8 seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek – or the unseeded Marta Kostyuk – in the last eight.
