Emotional Sakkari Reaches Final in Athens, 40 Years After Her Mom Did the Same

Tears were flowing in athens as Maria Sakkari notched a 6-1, 7-5 win over Alina Korneeva to reach the final, 40 years after her mother Angeliki Kanellopoulou reached the final in the Greek capital.

The World No.37 will bid for her third career title on Sunday against either Barbora Krejcikova or Clara Tauson.

“It’s very special because it’s my hometown and it’s for the first time,” Sakkari told the packed house after her win.

Sakkari has yet to drop a set this week at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Athens Open. She was pushed by 19-year-old Korneeva (ranked No.90), who broke when Sakkari served for the match in set two.

Sakkari won five of six break points to claim the victory in one hour and 23 minutes.

She is into her first WTA final since Indian Wells 2024, and her 11th final overall.

The WTA Tour has returned to Athens this year for the first time in 35 years.

Sakkari was in tears after the match and as she addressed the crowd on court in her native language after the win, her mom cheering her on from the box during an emotional moment shared between the two.

“I want to do a step further than my mom did 40 years ago – I’m going to try to win tomorrow,” Sakkari said.