Sakkari beats Rakhimova in three sets in Cincinnati opener

Maria Sakkari needed three sets to get past Kamilla Rakhimova in the Round of 64 in Cincinnati, winning 6-2 5-7 6-1 after letting a one-set lead slip. The Greek landed only 48.5 percent of her first serves, but she made them count, taking 68.1 percent of those points and striking six aces to Rakhimova's two. The difference came behind the second delivery, where Sakkari won 44.0 percent against 36.7 percent for her opponent, even though both players coughed up six double faults. The reward was a place in the next round of the WTA 1000.