Maria Sakkari survived a major scare at the US Open, fighting back from a set and a break down to defeat American qualifier Robin Montgomery 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 and reach the second round.
The Greek No. 32 seed appeared to be heading for a shock first-round exit after Montgomery, ranked 187th in the world, dominated the opening stages.
The 21-year-old American took the first set 6-2 and then raced into a 4-0 lead in the second, leaving Sakkari on the verge of a highly unexpected elimination.
Sakkari, however, dramatically turned the match around at that point. The Greek rallied to win five consecutive games, taking control of the set before eventually closing it out 7-5.
With the momentum firmly on her side, Sakkari produced a much stronger performance in the deciding set. She continued to pressure Montgomery and completed the comeback with a convincing 6-2 victory.
The win sends Sakkari into the second round, where she will face Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva, who defeated Germany’s Ella Seidel 6-2, 6-2 in her opening match.
Sakkari entered the tournament ranked No. 32, while Montgomery came through qualifying to reach the main draw.
