World No.103 Tatjana Maria has beaten No.5 seed Maria Sakkari to set up a fourth round meeting with No.12 seed Jelena Ostapenko.
The 34-year-old Maria, who recovered from 3-0 down in the final set to beat Sorana Cirstea in her previous round and register a first top 50 win in more than two years, beat her Greek opponent 6-3, 7-5 in 90 minutes.
Hello, fourth round 👋@Maria_Tatjana stuns No.5 seed Maria Sakkari 6-3, 7-5 to advance to a Grand Slam Round of 16 for the first time#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/49RCUjWpBc
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2022
Sakkari, appearing in the main draw at Wimbledon for the sixth time, has never been beyond the third round.
Maria is the oldest player left in the draw, and returned from maternity leave just under a year ago.
“It’s hard to find words because I came here with my two kids for the first time,” Maria said.
“I was already so happy to be in the main draw and I love to play on grass.
“It’s such a special place here for me. Even one year, my first pregnancy, I played pregnant, so I mean I love to play Wimbledon and to see and make this happen with my family, there are no words for this. It’s only joy, only happy.”
Motherhood clearly complemented her on-court feats.
Following the birth of her first daughter, Charlotte, in 2013, the German – whose husband Charles Maria also doubled as her coach – cracked the top 50 in 2017 and, a year later, broke through for her first title in Mallorca.
She had not won a Grand Slam main draw match since the US Open that year.
There was no holding back what it meant to her.
“[The children] are jumping in front of the TV,” she said. “For sure I have to say my husband is amazing. Without him it wouldn’t be possible.
“He’s the one who believes. Every second he’s here, supporting me, giving me the confidence. Without him I wouldn’t be here.”
Earlier this year, Maria came through qualifying in Bogota to capture her second Tour title, which made her the first mother of two this century to hoist a Tour-level trophy.
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Wimbledon Tatjana Maria Tennis Sports Kolkata