At idle, Sakkari easily qualified for the 3rd round of the Madrid Open against Russia

Maria Sakkari (No. 9 in the world) is through to the 3rd round of the Madrid Open. The Greek champion did what she had to do against Arantsa Rous (No. 107 in the world), winning 2-0 sets (6-4, 6-4) and now expects her second-round opponent to come out on her becomes couple Donna Vektis (No. 23 in the world) with Rebecca Masarova (No. 74 in the world).

Sakkari showed her superiority from the start and did the… necessary things. In the first set he only needed a break in the 5th game to win 6-4.

She started the second set with a break in the first set and looked ready to clean up the game. However, Rous reacted and equalized with a break in the 4th game 2:2. However, Sakkari again had the answer and went 4-3 with a fresh break in game 7 and then just needed to hold serve to claim the win.

Sakkari did just that, although she pushed a little harder in the 10th – and final – game of the 2nd set to complete her goal, bouncing off Rous’ break points three times, the last time requiring a sustained rally to he succeeds. But eventually she got the point she needed to break Rous’ break point for the third time and eventually won thanks to two more points.

For the record, this was Sakkari’s 5th win over Rous in as many games.