2021 US Open First Round – Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari taking place? Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari on and what time does it start? Tuesday 31st August, 2021 – not before 16:00 (UK)
What surface is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari being played on? Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari
What channel is Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari
Where can I stream Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
MARTA KOSTYUK
19-year-old Marta Kostyuk is tipped for big things in the not too distant future and a stunning run to the round of 16 at Roland-Garros back in June, via victory over former champion Garbine Muguruza, suggests that will be the case. The Ukrainian made the quarter-finals of the Chicago Women’s Open this week before defeat to Varvara Gracheva in a match she would have expected to win but she enters the US Open at a career-high 55th in the WTA world rankings.
MARIA SAKKARI
26-year-old Maria Sakkari has struggled for form over the summer but the early part of 2021 saw the Greek rip up the hardcourt swing, reaching three semi-finals including the Miami Open. Sakkari also made the last four at Roland-Garros before losing in three tough sets to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova and she could well have gone on to win in Paris, such was her form.
THE PREDICTION
This should be a fascinating, high-intensity clash between Marta Kostyuk and Maria Sakkari with both players enjoying their best Grand Slam runs at this season’s Roland-Garros. 26-year-old Sakkari came so close to beating eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova after ousting the reigning champion Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, whilst Kostyuk lost to Swiatek in the round before that. This first meeting has more questions than answers but the last three players to beat 17th-seed Sakkari are former world number ones Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and current world number five Elina Svitolina. Considering Kostyuk’s level is not quite there yet, at least not consistently, take Sakkari to win outright here.
