Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas have delivered for Greece in the deciding match of their Perth City Finals against Croatia. After the first four matches of the Greece and Croatia tie, the two teams were tied to two wins apiece.
In the deciding mixed doubles match, Sakkari and Tsitsipas defeated Petra Martic and Borna Gojo 7-6 (6) 6-4. Following their win over Croatia, Greece progressed into the United Cup semifinal. Now, Sakkari and Tsitsipas are heading to Sydney for the conclusion of the United Cup.
How Sakkari, Tsitsipas defeated Martic and Gojo
The first break point of the match was seen in the third game, when Sakkari and Tsitsipas missed out on an early break point chance. No break points were again until the 11th game, when Sakkari and Tsitsipas missed out on two more break points chances.
Since no breaks were seen in the first set, the opener had to be resolved in a tie-break. The tie-break was also a very tight contest as Martic and Gojo had a 5-4 lead before Sakkari and Tsitsipas responded by winning the next two points to take a 6-5 lead and clinch the first set point.
Sakkari and Tsitsipas didn’t realize their first set point but won the 13th point to take a 7-6 lead and earn their second set point. This time, Sakkari and Tsitsipas were able to convert and that’s how they won a tight first set.
After winning the first set, Sakkari and Tsitsipas had a break point in the second game of the second set but again didn’t convert their break point opportunities. In the 10th game – when Martic and Gojo were serving to stay in the match – the first break was seen as Sakkari and Tsitsipas broke in the key moments to complete a two-set win.
Earlier in the tie, Sakkari and Tsitsipas also delivered for Greece. In the singles matches, Sakkari defeated Martic while Tsitsipas defeated Coric. Following their latest mixed doubles win, Sakkari and Tsitsipas are 3-0 as a mixed doubles duo at the United Cup.
