Sakkari hoping for first ever Madrid Open Final

Maria Sakkari vs. Irina-Camelia Begu @ 2 p.m ET DAZN, TSN, TVA Sports, Tennis Channel

Ranked 9th in the world, Maria Sakkari is on fire this season - reaching the quarter finals of every tournament she’s competed in, and powering through to reach the semifinal stage as well. 

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The 27 year old is still looking for a first ever Grand Slam title though, and this afternoon she’ll line up against Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu for place in the semi finals at the Mutua Madrid Open.

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Sakkari has never made it into the last four in Spain, and although they’re separated by more than 25 spots in the WTA rankings, Irina-Camelia Begu has more than a fighting chance heading into this matchup.

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32 year old Bagu is yet to drop a set in Madrid, making light work of Karolína Muchová, Shelby Rogers and Liudmila Samsonova on her way to today’s semi final.

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Sakkari came out on top in both of the WTA meetings between these two players though - most recently in a three sets victory on the hard courts in St. Petersburg last year.

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So we see this one as going the distance, and ultimately with Sakkari booking a place in her first ever Madrid Open final.

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The Programme Pick: Maria Sakkari in three sets (+275)

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Chelsea Women vs. Liverpool Women May 3 @ 2:15 p.m. ET Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet World

Although they crashed out of the Champions League against Barcelona last week, Chelsea Women became the first side this season to stop the Catalan giants at the Camp Nou.

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Emma Hayes’ side played out an impressive 1-1 draw against arguably the greatest women’s club side in history, but just missed out on a place in the UCL final after a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in the first leg.

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Chelsea will now switch their focus to the chance of securing a WSL title and FA cup double, with the west London side third in the table with six games to play and a cup final against Man United a little under two weeks away.

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On Wednesday night the Blues will welcome Matt Beard’s Liverpool who are aiming to bounce back from a shock 4-0 loss to Leicester City in their last league outing.

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Sitting in 7th place in the WSL table, the Foxes are one of only two sides yet to register an away win this season. 

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But the Reds are also one of only two sides to beat Chelsea this term, having kicked off the season with a 2-1 victory over Emma Haye’s team back in September last year.

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That stat will give Liverpool some hope coming into tomorrow night’s matchup. But on the evidence of that performance in Barcelona, we’re backing Chelsea for the win.