Serena Williams, after losing to Sakkari in Cincinnati: “It's like dating a boy who sucks”

Former world number one, American tennis player Serena Williams, she acknowledged tonight after being eliminated in the third round of the Premier 5 tournament in Cincinnati that she has lost the “killer” instinct she had before to define the decisive games.

This time, the youngest of the Williams sisters let lead after lead slip away in the third-round duel she held with the young Greek Maria Sakkari, thirteenth seed, who after being on the verge of losing, completed a comeback that left it with the victory of 5-7, 7-6 (5) and 6-1, in the first duel that they had as professionals.

“I don't think that helps mentally, when you know the game is over and that you could have won it, but your legs were tired and now much more, “said Williams at the end of the match that lasted two hours and 17 minutes. “It's a bad situation. It's like dating a guy you know sucks.”

This was Williams' fifth match since professional tennis was resumed amid the coronavirus pandemic. after a break of almost six months, and the five he has played have been three sets with a 3-2 record.

The result against No. 13 seed Sakkari was not promising for Serena Williams. as the start of the US Open nears next week.

“It's hard to play like I've done and stay positive. And playing nine hours in a week is too much. I don't usually play like that, “Williams admitted.

“I literally should have won the game. There was no excuse. It was difficult, but I had many chances to win. I have to figure that out: how to start winning those games again. “

The Cincinnati Premier 5, which usually takes place in Ohio, this year moved to the US Open headquarters in Flushing Meadows to create a two-tournaments “bubble” with no spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sakkari: “I still don't believe I have beaten Serena Williams”

The young Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari who tonight gave the great surprise of eliminating in the third round of the Premier 5 of Cincinnati to the great favorite, the American Serena Willams, the third seed, said at the end of the match, which won 5-7, 7-6 (5) and 6-1, that she had not yet assimilated the victory.

“I haven't realized it yet,” admitted Thirteenth-seeded Sakkari after the match. “It feels pretty good, because she has been a role model for me. growing up and obviously what he's accomplished is huge. So I feel really good. “

Sakkari, 25, who started the week with a decisive win over American teenager Cori “Coco” Gauff, was one set behind. A break in her first meeting with the 23-time Grand Slam champion, before she trailed off in the third and claimed victory after two hours and 17 minutes of action.

“I didn't feel good. In that first set and a half, I couldn't feel my punches. There were some points where I was playing well, but I knew the game would be difficult if I didn't find my best touch and confidence. “

He did so, in part, favored by the physical and metal sinking of Serena Williams, who showed to be far from her best preparation in all aspects.

“I am a bit proud of myself for having overcome that match just because of my mentality and my fighting spirit”Sakkari acknowledged, who was facing Serena for the first time.

Sakkari also acknowledged that “The key point was, of course, winning the second set.” “But then serve like I did in the first game of the third It was like a turning point for me, because it gave me a lot of confidence going into the third set. “

Now, Sakkari is on the verge of a third semifinal of a WTA Premier 5 tournament, But first she will have to overcome in the quarterfinals the English veteran Johanna Konta, who beat the former world number 2, the Russian Vera Zvonareva by 6-4 and 6-2.

“I haven't seen her play this week, but I suppose she's doing well from her results,” said Sakkari. “It's going to be a tough match. Now I can't think about the way he plays. I don't remember. It's too early and too early.”

Sakkari stressed that what she needed was a good dinner, a good night's sleep, and then figuring out how to deal with Konta., something you won't do until after breakfast.