Photo credit: @MubadalaSVC

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Greek Maria Sakkari is making a believer out of the San Jose crowds. After being two games away from elimination, the comeback kid from Greece once again rallied from a three game deficit to win the second set 7-5 and eventually the match over the American Danielle Collins 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the featured semifinal match on Saturday evening at the Spartan Tennis Complex.

Collins cruised through the first set 6-3 and was up 4-1 in the second set looking to make quick work of Sakkari. However, the momentum seemed to turned when Collins was about to serve, a fan had yelled down from the stands, disrupting Collins, who was visibly upset by the distraction.

It would seem to spark Sakkari–as Collins’ frustration would continue to grow–as she roared back to win the next six out of seven games to even it up the match and force the deciding third set.

“I felt that she was obviously getting nervous when I was coming back,” said Sakkari. “I mean every one get nervous. When I was down 4-1, that’s not when the match changed (in my favor).”

Despite the loss, Collins said it was a good week for her in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic.

“I think I had a great week,” said Collins. “I was excited to get a couple of wins under my belt. Also, a great match today. I think it’s a lot of good momentum heading into the rest of the hard court season.”

When asked if she would be able to sleep the night before her chance at her first singles in 2018, and first in three years since she turned pro, Sakkari wasn’t sure at the moment.

“I will let you know tomorrow,” said Sakkari.

In the first semifinal match earlier Saturday, Romanian Miheala Buzarnescu defeated number four seeded Elise Mertens in the semifinal of the MSVC in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. After losing the first set to Mertens, Buzarnescu was able to take control of the second set and never looked back.

Mertens was suffering from an arm injury during the third set that ultimately led to her downfall as she was only able to win one game. Buzarnescu took advantage of Mertens’ injury and cruised through the third set on her way to the final showdown against Sakkari.

“Both of us I think we had really bad conditions, it was hot and dry and everything,” said Buzarnescu. “I just tried to stay positive and be more aggressive with her, keep my calm and play every ball inside the court.”

In doubles action, Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke defeated Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninmiya 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the finals. They will faceoff against the Ukrainian twin sister duo of Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok, who defeated Mihaela Buzarnescu and Heather Watson in an epic semifinal match 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.

Game Notes: For the first time since 2010, the tournament final will not feature a seed lower than the top four. Fifth seed Maria Sharapova was defeated by eighth seed Victoria Azarenka when it was known as the Bank of the West Classic.

Sunday’s Finals Schedule
Doubles Final: Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke vs. Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok at 12 pm PDT.

Singles Final: Maria Sakkari vs. Miheala Buzarnescu at 2 pm PDT.