Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — And then there were no more Williams sisters. Venus Williams became the latest casualty at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the Spartan Tennis Complex on Friday night as Maria Sakkari defeated her 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the featured quarterfinal match on Friday to conclude Day 5 of the MSVC.

In early quarterfinal action, Mahela Buzarnescu defeated Ajla Tomljovanic 6-1 7-5 in the opening match of the Quarterfinals of the MSVC. Buzarnescu kept Tomljanovic off balanced through the set match to reach the semifinals. Tomljanovic was a victim of her own unforced errors in the match.

“I thought she (Buzarnescu) played a pretty flawless first set, not much I could’ve done there,” said Tomljovanic. “I think maybe she gave me a few openings there. I got in position to serve for the set but didn’t really take my chances and it kind of goes away quickly (when you don’t take advantage) with players like that.”

Johanna Konta, who  gave Serena Williams her worst loss of her career earlier this week, had her luck run out as she was defeated by Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-3. Mertens is the highest remaining seeded player (fourth) remaining in the MSVC.

Victoria Azarenka looked to be on her way to a semifinal berth, but was forced to retire in the second set due to injury to the American tennis player Danielle Collins. Azarenka had won a spirited first set 7-6, but the injury hampered her at the beginning of the second set. Collins took advantage and was up 3-0 before Azarenka could not longer proceed with the match.

For the doubles, Konta and Shuai Zhang were defeated by the duo of Mihaela Buzarnescu and Heather Watson 7-5, 6-2. Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya defeated Georgina Garcia Perez and Priscilla Hon 6-4, 6-2.

Sakkari lacks in height, but makes up for it with her speed and power, which for the most of the match seemed to tire out Williams. Sakkari, an Athens, Greece native, rallied twice after being down 0-3 in the first set and 3-5 in the second.

“I was ready for the match compared to the last time I played her (Williams),: said Sakkari. “I knew my serve was not there. I never stopped fighting (or) believing that I could win the match.”

Upcoming Schedule for Saturday, August 4
Singles — Semifinals
Elise Mertens (4) vs. Mihaela Buzarnescu at 1 pm PDT.

Danielle Collins vs Maria Sakkari  at 7 pm PDT.

Doubles — Semifinals
Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke vs. Miyu Kato and Makota Ninmiya at 2:30 pm PDT.

Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok vs. Mihaela Buzarnescu and Heather Watson at 5 pm PDT.