Sakkari beats Dolehide to win Guadalajara title

 

[September 25, 2023]  (Reuters) -Maria Sakkari of Greece ended American Caroline Dolehide's fairytale run in the Guadalajara Open final on Saturday to win her first WTA 1000 crown and end a four-year title drought.

Second seed Sakkari powered past Dolehide, who is ranked 111th in the world, for a 7-5 6-3 victory to capture her second career title, ending the week without dropping a set.

Sakkari had lost six finals since winning her first title at the WTA 250 tournament in Rabat in 2019. She finished runner-up to Jessica Pegula in Guadalajara last year.

"We've heard so many bad things - that I will never win a title, that I'm a top-five player with only winning one title," said Sakkari, who broke down in tears after her win.

"That was very hard for me to overcome and I'm so happy that I did it here this week ... I want to thank my coach Tom (Hill) who has been with me the last five years. We've waited for more than four years for a second title.

"I want to thank my family. I really wish they were here with me. I want to dedicate this trophy to my grandfather who passed away last year, and my grandma who is watching at home."

In Saturday's final, Dolehide rallied from a break down in a tight opening set to take a 5-4 lead, but Sakkari won the next three games to take the set.

She broke for a 3-2 lead in the second set and held for 5-3 with her third ace of the contest, before clinching victory after an hour and 43 minutes.

Sakkari, who has previously described Mexico as her second home, was presented with the champion's sombrero after her win and also wore the Mexican soccer team's shirt during the trophy ceremony.

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Guadalajara Open - Panamerican Tennis Center, Guadalajara, Mexico - September 23, 2023 Greece's Maria Sakkari celebrates with the trophy and coach Tom Hill after winning the Guadalajara Open REUTERS/Henry Romero

"It's the biggest win of my career ... I'm just very, very grateful that it happened here," she told a news conference later.

"I've said it many times this week, I just really enjoy my time here ... Tonight and tomorrow, it's going to be two very happy days for me."

Sakkari, currently ranked ninth in the world, is expected to climb up to sixth when the rankings are updated on Monday, according to the WTA. First-time WTA finalist Dolehide, 25, is set to break into the top 50 for the first time.

"I'm really proud of myself and I look forward to a lot more finals like this," Dolehide told reporters. "Hopefully next time it could go a little bit more towards my way. This is definitely something to build on."

(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Jamie Freed)

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