Last Updated on November 17, 2021
No. 8 in the WTA rankings, Anett Kontaveit is having an incredible end of the season. In the semifinals of the WTA Final, the Estonian defeated Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The Estonian was 1:3 down in the deciding set. She scored a break right away and then made another at 4-3, going 0-for-40 and scoring eight game balls.
“I think the turning point in the third set was when I was one break behind, the score was 2-3. I was able to set myself up that if this was my last match of the season, I had to enjoy it. At that moment I was a little bit more relaxed and I started to play better and I took the set,” said Anett after the match.
Frequent meetings this season
Tour-leading 48th win of the season 👊
Anett Kontaveit fights past Sakkari and enters the biggest final of her career!#AKRONWTAFinals pic.twitter.com/4Wy82eJuie
— wta (@WTA) November 17, 2021
The athletes knew each other well, as they had played 12 matches between them, including five this season.
“Playing with Maria is very difficult – and I think we meet at every tournament. She’s a very good tennis player, a real fighter, so it’s very important to be focused on the game. And after the match we’ll be friends again,” Kontaveit added.
The victory is her 48th in 2021, catching up with Ons Jabeur, the season leader. Kontaveit beat a top-10 opponent for the seventh time in a season and the 18th time in her career.
Match Statistics
| Anett Kontaveit | Maria Sakkari | |
| Aces | 6 | 9 |
| Double Faults | 3 | 3 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 59% | 56% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 77% | 62% |
| Break Points Saved | 0/2 | 4/8 |
| Break Points Converted | 4/8 | 2/2 |
| Winners | 32 | 17 |
| Unforced Errors | 34 | 31 |
Anett Kontaveit vs. Maria Sakkari | 2021 WTA Finals Semifinal Highlights
She reached her 13th career WTA Finals, her seventh this season and third in a row. The WTA Finals in Mexico was the most prestigious tournament in which she reached the deciding match.
A strong finish to the season allowed Kontaveit to qualify for the final tournament and she made no secret of her surprise participation in the Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara. This is Kontaveit’s first time competing in the final. She was the last to qualify for him and did so, beating Ons Jaber in rating points in the last tournament that went into the standings.
“I still can’t believe I even made it to this tournament and am playing against the best tennis players in the world. I’m so proud to do this and play at this level,” said Kontaveit in an interview with the WTA Tour press office.
Kontaveit vs Muguruza. Prediction for the finals
For her fifth title in 2021, she will compete against Garbine Muguruza, who beat her in her last group stage match. We expect Anett Kontaveit to win the final, as she is more focused on success.
“It’s going to be very difficult, but I’m ready for another match. I hope you’ll see good tennis,” commented Anett on the final meeting.
At the end of the tournament Estonian tennis player, Kontaveit will become the seventh racket in the world if she loses in the final and the sixth if she wins. In any case she will update her personal record.
