French Open: Muchova defeats Sakkari in second round

At the French Open, Karolina Muchova’s comeback is gaining traction. In the second round on Wednesday, the former Top 20 Czech defeated 2021 semifinals and No. 4 seed Maria Sakkari of Greece, 7-6(5), 7-6. (4).

Sakkari is the fifth Top 10 seed to be eliminated in the first three days of the tournament in Paris.

Muchova, the former World No. 19, arrived in Paris ranked No.81 after a seven-month layoff due to an abdominal injury.

This is her fourth tournament since the US Open last summer, and it is the second time she has won back-to-back matches in those events.

Carole Monnet, a 20-year-old French wildcard ranked No.253, was her previous opponent in Round 1.

Muchova’s sixth career Top 10 victory wasn’t easy. Sakkari needed eight set points to win the first set after coming back from 5-2 down, and she was twice a break up in the second set.

Four of his six Top 10 victories have come against players ranked fifth or higher.

Sakkari stated later, “She played a tremendous match.”

“She always performs exceptionally well in Grand Slams, and she was the superior player today, so I have to award it to her.”

“It’s unfortunate because it’s still my favorite event, and I’m disappointed.”

“But, on the other hand, there were many positives today because I was back on the court. I’m in good spirits. I’m battling. I’m having a fantastic time on the court, so I expect big things to come shortly.”

“I knew I wanted to do well, but things change every year, and we’ve seen so many upsets over the years, that at tournaments of [this] level, you have to realize that you won’t be able to go far in every single tournament or every single important event.”

Muchova will face No.27 seed Amanda Anisimova, a past semifinalist in Paris, in the third round. As a 17-year-old, the American reached the last four in 2019 and advanced to the last 32 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Donna Vekic.

Vekic, former Top 20 player returning from an injury layoff, had to qualify in order to compete in the main draw.