Raducanu Falls to Sakkari in United Cup Debut
Emma Raducanu’s long-awaited return at the United Cup in Perth meets a tough Greek wall, as Maria Sakkari claims her first win over the Briton in a match that exposes preseason vulnerabilities.
In the charged air of Perth’s RAC Arena, Emma Raducanu finally took the court for Great Britain at the United Cup, her first competitive action since October after a foot problem sidelined her from the opening tie against Japan. The 23-year-old, world number 29, carried the weight of last season’s illnesses into this clash with Maria Sakkari, a player she’d beaten four times before, including during her 2021 US Open run. But on the medium-paced indoor hardcourt, Raducanu’s flat strokes met Sakkari’s looping topspin, and what began as a promising start unraveled into a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 defeat that sealed Britain’s loss to Greece.
Raducanu broke serve right away, her inside-in forehand winner forcing Sakkari wide and setting an aggressive tone. Yet the Greek steadied, using deep crosscourt backhands to push Raducanu back and induce errors, claiming six of the last seven games in the first set. This marked Sakkari’s first set win against the former champion, flipping their head-to-head dynamic amid the crowd’s shifting murmurs.
“I said before the last match she was really, really close. She had another good practice session and she wanted to get out there and give it a try. She’s been brilliant as a part of the team, she loves representing her country, so it’s fantastic to have her out on the court tonight.”
GB captain Tim Henman, alongside coach Francisco Roig in the stands, saw Raducanu fight back from a break down in the second set, mixing drop shots with net rushes to level the match at one set apiece. Her down-the-line backhands found lines, pulling Sakkari off-balance and shortening points on the skidding surface. But in the decider, fatigue from months away crept in, mirroring her late-2025 fades, as Sakkari’s consistent depth overwhelmed, closing out 6-1.
Early break crumbles into pressure
The opening break showcased Raducanu’s precision, her returns jamming Sakkari’s serve and turning defense into offense with quick 1–2 patterns. Sakkari adapted by varying slice to the wide angles, disrupting rhythm and forcing Raducanu into longer rallies where her movement lagged. As errors mounted—unforced backhands sailing wide—the Greek’s topspin kept balls low and heavy, exploiting the hardcourt’s true bounce to dictate from the baseline.
This wasn’t just physical; the psychological shift hit hard after Raducanu’s perfect record against Sakkari evaporated. Henman’s words captured her team spirit, yet the loss amplified the stakes for Britain’s depth, especially with injuries lingering. On this Perth stage, where national pride amplifies every point, Raducanu’s resolve now faces the Australian Open’s grind.
Harris nearly topples Tsitsipas
Earlier, Billy Harris stepped up as replacement for the injured Jack Draper to face Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked nearly 100 spots higher at world number 27 to the Greek’s top-10 perch. The 127th-ranked Briton seized the first set 6-4, his underspin slices neutralizing Tsitsipas’s power and turning serves into second-shot opportunities. Tsitsipas responded with a dominant 6-1 second, but Harris pushed the decider to a tie-break, where crosscourt forehands kept it tight until a 7-6(4) edge for the Greek.
Tsitsipas lauded the effort post-match, noting the high quality that tested his limits. For Harris, this near-upset in the team format built momentum, his tactical adjustments—like low returns disrupting setup—highlighting underdog potential on the hardcourt. Britain’s tie hung on these battles, underscoring the mental edge needed when favorites falter.
Global ties reveal resilience arcs
Across the United Cup draw, Coco Gauff’s serving faltered with 14 double faults in a 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-0 loss to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the indoor pace exposing toss issues against aggressive returns. She rebounded in mixed doubles alongside Christian Harrison, securing the USA’s quarter-final spot and later clarifying comments on American tennis fans amid the scrutiny. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka hopes illness clears up by Australian Open, echoing the recovery themes rippling through the field.
Iga Swiatek rallied from a set down to beat Germany’s Eva Lys 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, her net approaches varying the all-court game after Hubert Hurkacz’s return from seven months out with a knee injury, downing Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to clinch Poland’s win. Draper to miss 2026 Australian Open with arm injury adds to Britain’s challenges, pushing Raducanu toward sharper prep. In Perth’s electric ties, these matches blend individual tactics with team pressure, forging paths for the slams ahead—where Sakkari’s win might just sharpen Raducanu’s edge.