Monday 27 September 2021

Kontaveit triumphs in Ostrava

Final in Ostrava.

2021 J&T Banka Ostrava Open a WTA 500 tournament, on Hard Indoor, in Ostrava, Czech Republic, 20-26 September 2021.
Event held last year from 19-25 October 2020.

2020 champion (not defending):
Aryna Sabalenka (3) who defeated Victoria Azarenka (4) 6-2 6-2


Final:


Maria Sakkari (4) (Greece) v Anett Kontaveit (Estonia)


Sakkari led Kontaveit 6-4 in head to head matches before the final. In three contests this year, Sakkari had won the last two - in Madrid and at the Tokyo Olympics.

Sakkari was aiming for her second WTA title in her third final, having won her only trophy in May 2019 in Rabat.

This would be final number 10 for Kontaveit, and if successful it would be her third title, previously winning in Rosmalen, June 2017 and Cleveland last month.


In set one, Kontaveit didn’t face a break point, in fact winning 16 of 18 points on her serve. The Estonian broke Sakkari in the fourth game, and Sakkari was broken again when serving at 2-5 to stay in the set. 6-2 Kontaveit.


In game one of set two, Kontaveit saved the first break point that she had faced in the match.

No more break chances eventuated for the next eight games, and Sakkari went to the line, serving at 4-5 to remain in the match.

A double fault and a loose volley put Sakkari in danger at 0-30. Forehand and backhand winners at the net from the Greek racquet levelled it at 30-30.

A Kontaveit backhand winner brought it to deuce. Another of her winners, this time a forehand down the line, and a second game point for Sakkari  disappeared. Deuce again. 

Exchange of winners and a third deuce. Sakkari ultimately held serve for 5-5.

Kontaveit survived 0-30 and deuce to lead 6-5. 


Serving a second time to stay alive, Sakkari committed two unforced errors and trailed 0-30. A Kontaveit forehand down the line winner gave her three match points. A forehand cross court winner sealed the match for Anett Kontaveit 6-2 7-5.


Two titles within a month and Kontaveit jumps 10 places to #16 in the 2021 WTA Race.

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