Sakkari and Azarenka did not disappoint and sealed their passage to the quarterfinals in Guadalajara

The Greek Fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari came from behind to beat American Danielle Collins 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday. and qualify for the quarterfinals of the WTA Masters played in Guadalajara.

Sakkari, sixth in the world ranking, started accurately on serve, with good returns and eliciting unforced errors from his rival. The Greek took the lead, but in the tenth he failed in his attempt to close out the set and in the twelfth he again suffered a break to give the American the set win.

At the start of the second segment, María continued to serve her opponent and from then on she was unstoppable, with balls distributed at different angles and accuracy to play better in two of the four break opportunities that he has.

Taking no chances, Sakkari and Collins bet not to miss and reached the seventh game without a break; in the eighth Sakkari determined Collins’ serve and the rest held serve in the ninth to win 6-3.

“It was a difficult match, I had a chance to win the first set, but then I did my job; the people are incredible in Guadalajara, unique, and I appreciate the support“said Maria, keeping alive her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals, to be played in Fort Worth, starting October 31.

This Friday, in the rooms, Maria will face the Russian Veronika Kudermentovaeighth seed, winner 6-4, 6-4 of Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.

The American was a little earlier Sloane Stephens defeated France’s Caroline Garcia 7-5(6), 7-5seeded sixth, which was not helped much by the effectiveness of his serve, the best on tour.

After winning the ‘tie break’, Stephens was confident and got the job done to reach the quarterfinals, a stage where she will play her compatriot Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 6-4 winner of Canada’s Bianca Andreescu.

In its part, Victoria Azarenka beat American Madison Keys 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1 and will face American Coco Gauff, a 6-0, 6-3 winner of Italian Martina Trevisan.

In another rivalry the Czech Marie Bouzkova bounced back to defeat Russia’s Liumila Samsonova 0-6, 7-5, 6-3 and will play in the quarterfinals against Anna Kalinskaya, who defeated her compatriot Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

Guadalajara is open

round of 16

Victoria Azarenka defeated Madison Keys 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-1
Cori Gauff d. Martina Trevisan 6-0, 6-3
Jessica Pegula defeated Bianca Andreescu 6-4, 6-4
Sloane Stephens d. Caroline Garcia 7-6 (6), 7-5
Veronika Kudermetova defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4
Maria Sakkari defeated Danielle Collins 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
Anna Kalinskaya d. Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
Marie Bouzkova beat Liudmila Samsonova 0-6, 7-5, 6-3

Guadalajara is open

Quarter finals

Victoria Azarenka (BLR)-Coco Gauff (USA-5)
Jessica Pegula (USA-3)-Sloane Stephens (USA)

Veronika Kudermetova (RUS-8)-Maria Sakkari (GRE-4)
Anna Kalinskaya (RUS)-Marie Bouzkova (CHE)