NEW YORK (Reuters) -Maria Sakkari was lost for words after breaking down Karolina Pliskova 6-4 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the semi-final of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
The Greek was rock-solid with excellent court coverage through the first set, getting the early break as she put up a dozen winners and three aces.
The 17th seed kept up her assault in the second set, converting on break point in the seventh game as 2016 runner-up Pliskova failed to match her intensity.
Pliskova, runner-up at Wimbledon this year, committed three double faults and 20 unforced errors in the match before Sakkari wrapped things up in one hour and 22 minutes.
“I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say,” an elated Sakkari said.
The Greek had shown no signs of fatigue despite coming through a three hour, 30 minute fourth-round battle with former champion Bianca Andreescu which wrapped up on Tuesday at 2:13 a.m. in New York, the latest finish to a women’s singles match at the hardcourt major.
She will need all her energy in her semi-final against British teen Emma Raducanu, who has not dropped a set since arriving at Flushing Meadows as a qualifier.
“Emma — she’s had a great run,” said Sakkari. “But I trust myself, I trust my game.”
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
