Rising Greek tennis star, Michaela Laki, is through to the next round of the Roland Garros Juniors competition in France after she beat Sofia Kostoula, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(1), on Monday.
In what is the first Grand Slam tournament of Laki’s career, she played an amazing game against Kostoula where despite losing the first set, she came back fighting to claim the match.
From the start, Kostoula had the upper hand in the first set, as she led 3-1 and had a break lead for most of the set. The 16-year-old Belgian, who is of Greek origin on her father’s side, was ahead even with 5-3.
Laki, who had to erase a break point at 2-4 to avoid being left behind with a double break, managed to keep the difference in one break and in the 10th game made the break back, which put her back in the game (5-5). She then kept her serve in a big game and went ahead for the first time in the 3rd set, at 6-5.
At this stage, Kostoula asked for medical attention for cramps, but according to regulations she could not get help and medical time out for such a problem. She continued to play and managed to send it to the tie-break, but Laki dominated and prevailed 7-1.
This victory saw Laki qualify for the “16” best of Roland Garros.
In the next round, she will have an even more difficult mission, as she will face No. 6 seed in the world ranking of juniors, Robin Montgomery.
Source: tennisnews.gr.
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