WUHAN, October 2026 — Maria Sakkari came from 4-2 down in the opening set to beat her friend and doubles partner Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-2 on Monday and reach the Wuhan Open second round.
The Greek won the first-round match on Dongfeng Voyah Center Court, Tennis.com match data show. Wuhan hosts the last WTA 1000 tournament of the season.
In the Wuhan Open second round, Sakkari faces eighth seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine. Kostyuk had a first-round bye, according to the official WTA draw.
The 30-year-old Croatian, ranked 40th, will also team up with Sakkari, ranked 33rd, in the doubles at the tournament.
Fightback in the first set
Vekic broke at her first opportunity to lead 2-1. She then saved four break points in the fourth game to move 3-1 ahead.
A love hold brought Sakkari to 3-2, but Vekic held again for 4-2. From there, the match turned.
Sakkari closed to 4-3 and broke on her second chance of the eighth game, her sixth of the match, to level at 4-4.
She held for 5-4 and then took the set 6-4 on a combined set and break point.
Sakkari seals Wuhan Open second round spot
Vekic opened the second set with a break. However, Sakkari broke straight back to love for 1-1 and went ahead 2-1.
In a 16-point fourth game, Vekic saved three break points. Sakkari converted the fourth to lead 3-1.
Vekic broke back for 3-2, but it was her last response. She fell behind 15-40 in the next game, and Sakkari broke again for 4-2 before holding to love for 5-2.
Sakkari converted her first match point in the eighth game to take the set 6-2 and secure her Wuhan Open second round spot.
The win followed Sakkari’s third-round loss to Elina Svitolina in Beijing. Earlier this season, she came back to win at the US Open.
Source: Gazzetta
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