Maria Sakkari fumes at Diana Shnaider’s screaming in Australian Open win - ‘I’m going to speak to the referee'
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ByEurosport
Updated 18/01/2023 at 08:33 GMT
Maria Sakkari has reached the third round of the Australian Open after beating 18-year-old Diana Shnaider in three sets, but she made it clear to the umpire that she was not a fan of the qualifier's screaming and fist pumping towards the end of the second set. Shnaider won the first set before Sakkari lost her temper. "One more time and I'm going to speak to the referee," Sakkari said.
‘I’m going to speak to the referee’ - Sakkari fumes at Shnaider’s screaming
Maria Sakkari was not happy at all with her opponent Diana Shnaider’s screaming in her three set win over the Russian qualifier.
The world No. 6 dropped the first set 6-3 against the 18-year-old, but came from behind to win the match in three sets on Margaret Court Arena.
When Shnaider levelled the second set at 5-5 and let out a roar, Sakkari approached chair umpire Christian Rask to let her frustrations be known.
"If she screams one more time in my face," Sakkari repeated.
"No, no, no, no, One more time… she's coming towards me. One more time and I'm going to speak to the referee."
Shnaider appeared to be unaffected by the Greek’s comments on the other side of the net.
Sakkari went on to win the set 7-5 against the world No. 106. And with momentum firmly with the Greek player, she won the third set decider 6-3.
The 27-year-old has now reached the Australian Open third round for the fifth time in her career and will face either Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann or China’s Lin Zhu.
In her on-court interview after the match, Sakkari said: "It's not easy to play someone that you've never played before or seen before on the tour.
"I was a little bit hesitant. She was swinging very hard, she was playing very aggressive.
"I know that I should have been more aggressive because I was very far back from the baseline running and defending every single ball which is not my game.
"I tried to find ways and that's what I think I'm good at. I think I'm good at trying to find solutions and trying to improve my game during the match."
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