US Open 2020: Maria Sakkari vs Bernarda Pera preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: Maria Sakkari vs Bernarda Pera
Date: 3 September 2020
Tournament: US Open 2020
Round: Second round (Round of 64)
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, USA
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $39,024,000
Match timing: 11 am EDT, 8.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / ESPN | India - Star Sports / Hotstar
Maria Sakkari vs Bernarda Pera preview
15th seed Maria Sakkari will take on home hope Bernarda Pera in the second round of the 2020 US Open on Thursday.
This promises to be an absolutely riveting contest between two of the most aggressive players on the WTA tour. Both Sakkari and Pera are known for their high-intensity, attacking brand of tennis, which can even leave the best of players gasping for breath.
Maria Sakkari overcame a tough challenge in the form of Stefanie Voegele in her opening round. It took the Greek a little over two hours to win in three sets. Bernarda Pera, on the other hand, dismissed Zarina Diyas with some ease, including a second set bagel.
Sakkari comes into this match arguably in better form, having reached the last eight at the Western & Southern Open. En route to that stage she even knocked out Serena Williams.
For both players, the depleted field at this year's US Open presents an opportunity to make it to the second week for the first time in their career.
Maria Sakkari vs Bernarda Pera head-to-head
Maria Sakkari leads Bernarda Pera by 1-0 in the head-to-head.
The duo played each other in the first round of Wimbledon last year, with the Greek pulling through by a score of 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Maria Sakkari vs Bernarda Pera prediction
This is a tricky match to call due to the similarity with which both players approach the game. Sakkari and Pera both have pretty decent serves, but usually thrive in their return games. Their backhands are both lethal too, and one can expect many winners off that wing during their match-up.
By virtue of being a southpaw, Pera’s serve will be angling away from the backhand of Sakkari. The Greek will need to have a very good sense of court-positioning on her return so as to avoid giving too much free space to the American to find winners.
Maria Sakkari and Bernarda Pera both have the ability to hit the ball flat and deep. However, the American arguably possesses greater variety and stronger net skills, which have the potential to leave Sakkari flat-footed.
Both players have a tendency to commit unforced errors too though. Given the closeness of this match-up, whoever exhibits even slightly greater control on their groundstrokes will likely go through.
Prediction: Maria Sakkari to win in three sets.