Though almost every game was close, for much of the early stages of the match it looked like it might turn into a runaway victory for Sakkari—she opened up a 5-0 lead out of the gates, eventually closing out the first set after 50 minutes, 6-1, and brought up double break point with Kudermetova serving at 2-all in the second set.
But Kudermetova held that game—as well as her next three service games—and finally converted on her 10th break point of the match to sneak out the second set, 7-5.
Sakkari struck right back with a break in the first game of the third set, and it turns out that’s all she needed, as the two held the rest of the way until the Greek served it out.
She was asked what she was most proud of in her victory.
“My heart, my fighting spirit. These are the two things I’m mostly proud about,” Sakkari said. “I mean, my tennis is there. Everyone here plays good. It’s just who’s catching a little bit more in the big moments, and I feel like today I just went for it. Obviously I saved those break points in the third set—those were the key, probably, for the match.”
Sakkari lifting her game when facing break points was maybe the story of the day—she saved 14 of the 15 break points she faced, and converted 3 of 9 herself.
Had Kudermetova won, not only would she have been the eighth and final qualifier for the WTA Finals, she would have also made her Top 10 debut on the WTA rankings on Monday. The Russian will still head to Fort Worth, not only as part of the doubles field with Elise Mertens, but also as an alternate in the singles field.
American Madison Keys will be the other singles alternate.