Maria Sakkari has advanced at the Cincinnati Masters after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 in a three-set second-round clash.
Sakkari took control early, winning the opening set 6-2, before Rakhimova responded to take the second 7-5 and force a deciding set.
The Greek player regained control in the third set, winning 6-1 to seal the victory.
Sakkari hit six aces to Rakhimova’s two and won 68 per cent of points behind her first serve. She converted eight of 19 break-point opportunities and saved seven of the 12 break points she faced.
Meanwhile on Friday Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame a late wobble, when he recovered from a two-match-point stumble to defeat Valentin Royer 7-6(4), 7-5 and book a second-round showdown with Felix Auger-Aliassime.