Maria Sakkari sealed Greece’s place in the United Cup quarterfinals with a spirited three-set win over Emma Raducanu on Monday, Jan. 5. Sakkari later revealed the secret weapon behind her performance in the decisive Group E clash.
Sakkari backed up her earlier win over Japan’s Naomi Osaka with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 triumph against the 2021 US Open champion, Raducanu. She closed the match in emphatic style, winning the final six games to seal the win.
After the match, Sakkari credited her teammate Stefanos Tsitsipas for his exceptional tennis insight.
“He’s great. He has one of the best tennis IQs I have ever seen or spoken to. He’s an incredible player, so I’m just very blessed and very grateful to receive information from him,” Sakkari said during her on-court interview.
The win marked Sakkari’s first career victory over Raducanu. She has now opened the season 2-0 in singles, having defeated Osaka in Greece’s tie against Japan on Friday.
Earlier on Monday, Tsitsipas laid the foundation for Greece with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) victory over Billy Harris. He recovered from a slow start to give Greece a crucial 1-0 lead. In the mixed-doubles match, Britain’s Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski defeated Despina Papamichail and Stefanos Sakellaridis 6-2, 3-6, 10-4.
The Greeks have qualified for the quarterfinals as the winners of Group E, joining the likes of Switzerland and the United States in the last eight.
Maria Sakkari Relieved to Break Emma Raducanu Barrier as Greece Marches Into United Cup QF
Sakkari secured her first career win over Raducanu in her fifth attempt, having previously lost to the Brit four times, including in the 2021 US Open quarterfinals.
“Emma, I have had four tough losses against her. So to get that first win against her and against a great opponent, it means a lot, and just believing for Greece, I’m just super happy,” Sakkari said.
Asked about her 2-0 start to the season, Sakkari joked that it exceeded her own expectations following a difficult last year on tour.
“Yeah, it doesn’t get any better, especially after the season I had last year. I came into this tournament with low expectations, but so far it has been going really good,” Sakkari quipped.
Greece will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals, with Stanislas Wawrinka and Belinda Bencic set to lock horns against Tsitsipas and Sakkari.
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