Sakkari knocks out Garcia for second time in a week, books spot in semi-finals

Maria Sakkari advanced to the last four of the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament by beating Caroline Garcia, the No 5 seed, 6-2, 6-2.

It is the second victory in a week over the Frenchwoman for Sakkari, who has now equalled her career-best run of seven consecutive match wins. It is a remarkable turnaround from her first-round exit at the US Open last month, which marked a third consecutive Grand Slam first-round loss and left the Greek player in tears.

The World No 6 faces arguably her toughest opponent since her post-US Open run as she takes on American Jessica Pegula, the second seed, next.

The Greek defeated Japanese qualifier Misaki Doi (6-3, 6-1) in the previous round.

In the last 16, Garcia, ranked No 10, won against Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina (6-4, 6-3).