Sakkari vs Begu: prediction for the WTA Saint Petersburg match

Maria Sakkari managed to match her 2020 achievement at Saint Petersburg tournament, she reached the semi-final once again. Back then, Greek player was stopped by Elena Rybakina (6:3, 5:7, 1:6). 

In the current tournament Maria easily advanced past three rounds, she didn't lose a single set so far. In two first rounds Greek player beat two Russian opponents, Potapova (6:4, 6:4) and Alexandrova (6:2, 6:4). In the quarter-final Sakkari was close to lose a set, in the first set of a match against Mertens Sakkari failed to convert set-points, but opponent failed to win a decisive game at her serve. A World No. 7 player eventually recorded a victory (7:6, 6:2).

Before the start of Saint Petersburg tournament no one expected that a World No. 56 player, Irina Camelia Begu, will reach the semi-final. But Romanian player managed to surprise everyone and will now fight for a spot in the final. 

On her way to the semi-final Begu beat all of her opponents by a 2:0 score on sets. In the first round Begu managed to beat Zhang Shuai (6:3, 6:1), after that she left no chance to Kvitova (6:4, 6:0). In the quarter-final Romanian player easily beat another Czech player, Tereza Martincova (6:4, 6:2).