Maria Sakkari stages major comeback to reach US Open second round

Maria Sakkari looked close to a first-round exit after falling behind Robin Montgomery by a set and 4-0 in the second. Instead, the Greek tennis player produced a sweeping comeback and won 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 to reach the second round of the US Open.

The match began badly for Sakkari. After holding her opening service game, she lost five games in a row as Montgomery moved ahead 5-1. Sakkari reduced the deficit to 5-2, but the American closed out the first set 6-2.

Montgomery continued to dominate early in the second set, winning 10 of the first 11 games across the match and taking a 4-0 lead. Sakkari then changed the pattern of the contest. She played more aggressively, made better choices and reduced her unforced errors.

The 31-year-old won seven of the next eight games. She leveled the set at 4-4, reached 5-5 and held serve for 6-5. In the following game, Sakkari applied sustained pressure and eventually converted a break after a series of deuces and advantages, forcing the match into a deciding set.

Sakkari carried that momentum forward. She broke for a 2-1 lead and moved ahead 4-1 before Montgomery narrowed the gap to 4-2. Sakkari held for 5-2, then created another match point in the eighth game and converted it with a break to complete the turnaround.