Kontaveit defeats Sakkari, capturing Ostrava title without dropping a set

Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit continued her torrid tennis on Sunday in Ostrava, completing a run to her biggest career title that featured wins over the likes of Paula Badosa, Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari – all without dropping a set.

Kontaveit dropped just 27 games through five rounds, and defeated fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari for her third career title on Sunday, 6-2, 7-5.

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Sakkari – Anett deserves this title

Sakkari was bidding for her second career title and first since 2019. The Greek says that Kontaveit simply had too much game on Sunday.

“I think Anett, she had an amazing week,” Sakkari said. “I was in trouble because she was not missing much. She was not giving me any opportunities on court. She was dominant and she really deserved to win today because she was the better player, period. I tried different things in the second set, when I saw that rallying with her was not [effective]. It was just a very good match from her and she deserves it.” 

Red hot Kontaveit

Kontaveit has now won 12 of her last 13 matches on tour, dating back to her title run in Cleveland just prior to the US Open. The 25-year-old Estonian has tripled her career title output in the span of two months. She says she has been relaxed and enjoying her tennis.

“I think I really started enjoying playing again, and I think that’s been the main key,” she said. “I’m having a really good time on court and I’m having fun through the battles and the tough matches as well. I sort of started finding my way in Cleveland.”

“My new coach also has given me some new energy and new perspectives as well. I’m just feeling a little more comfortable and enjoying myself more.”

Enjoying the process

Kontaveit improve to 4-5 lifetime against Sakkari and 2-2 against the Greek in 2020. She improves to 31-14 on the season and is projected to rise from 30 to 23 in the WTA rankings.

“When you are winning matches it definitely gives you confidence,” she told reporters on Sunday. “I feel like I am definitely playing better than I was in the middle of the season and I think good things can come of it. I don’t want to put any pressure on myself, I’ve really had a good time on court, and I’ve enjoyed it. That’s the thing I’m really most happy about. One of my friends, who is here this week in Ostrava, she played doubles, she told me ‘While we’re here we might as well enjoy it’ – that really sort of stuck with me this week.”