Jasmine Paolini sweeps Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-2 to reach Wimbledon fourth round, ending Greek's campaign
Jasmine Paolini needed just 66 minutes to dispatch Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-2 in the third round of Wimbledon, denying the Greek a first-ever appearance in the last 16 at the All England Club.
Match overview
Jasmine Paolini dominated Maria Sakkari from start to finish on No. 2 Court, winning 6-1, 6-2 in 66 minutes. The Italian, ranked No. 17, broke serve five times and never faced a break point herself. Sakkari held serve only three times in the entire match, once in the opening set and twice in the second.
- Paolini races to a 5-0 lead with two breaks and three holds.
- Sakkari gets on the board by holding serve.
- Paolini serves out the first set after saving three set points in the previous game.
- Paolini breaks twice more to open a commanding lead.
- Sakkari holds serve after a tight game to reduce the deficit.
- Paolini closes out the match with a love game, sealing a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Sakkari's Wimbledon hurdle
This marks the fifth time Sakkari has fallen in the third round at Wimbledon, the only Grand Slam where she has never reached the round of 16. The Greek had entered the tournament with hopes of breaking that pattern, but Paolini's relentless baseline game gave her no opening.
The path ahead
Paolini will face Alexandra Eala in the fourth round. The 20-year-old from the Philippines produced the shock of the tournament by eliminating defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(9), 6-2 earlier in the day. For Sakkari, the draw had opened up after Swiatek's exit, making the loss feel like a missed opportunity.
Ranking and off-court notes
Despite the defeat, Sakkari is projected to rise in the WTA rankings. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in attendance; his son is in a relationship with Sakkari.
