Sakkari Powers Greece Past Osaka in United Cup Start
Maria Sakkari channeled preseason focus into a decisive straight-sets win over Naomi Osaka, handing Greece an early edge in Perth’s team showdown against Japan.
Maria Sakkari stepped onto the RAC Arena court in Perth with Greece’s 2026 United Cup campaign hanging in the balance, facing Naomi Osaka in a matchup that promised to test fresh resolve against proven power. The former world No. 3 delivered a 6-4, 6-2 victory in 1 hour and 38 minutes, her baseline aggression overwhelming the four-time Grand Slam champion ranked No. 16 and still adjusting to an aggressive cold. This win, her third in six meetings, evened their head-to-head at 3-3 and gave Greece a 1-0 lead in the opening tie against Japan, setting a confident tone on the fast indoor hardcourts.
Osaka’s returns started without their usual sting, allowing Sakkari to seize control early with a hold and a break for 2-0 in the first set. Though the Japanese player broke back right away, Sakkari’s steady footwork and heavy topspin forehands kept the pressure on, reclaiming the advantage through deep crosscourt rallies that pinned her opponent deep. She closed the set on a backhand winner that grazed the line, converting her third set point with clinical precision.
“You’re always very hesitant when you come in that first match because sometimes you can trick yourself that you had a good preseason, and then you have high expectations to come out and do everything,” Sakkari said to reporters after the match. “I really forced myself not to think like that. I think that was the key. Just went out there, tried to do the things that I worked on and, you know, we keep building and we can keep trying to improve.”
Mental reset fuels opening surge
The weight of last year’s round-robin exit lingered for Sakkari, but she transformed it into fuel, avoiding the mental pitfalls of overthinking her offseason preparations. By focusing on practiced patterns—like using crosscourt backhands to set up inside-in forehands—she dictated the tempo without forcing unforced errors. This approach not only neutralized Osaka’s flat groundstrokes but also amplified the crowd’s energy, their cheers echoing off the arena walls as Greece built momentum.
Osaka, returning from maternity leave, admitted the cold dulled her early aggression, her serves landing with less thunder down the T. Sakkari exploited those edges, her movement covering the court’s width to turn neutral balls into winners, a tactical shift honed to suit Perth’s predictable bounce. As the set wore on, the Greek’s refusal to dwell on minor setbacks kept her in command, positioning her team favorably for the tie’s next rubbers.
Backhand battles define the duel
The match hinged on the backhand line, where both players traded risks for rewards in crosscourt exchanges that opened paths down-the-line. Sakkari’s willingness to swing freely produced a flurry of winners alongside errors, but her bolder strokes ultimately pierced Osaka’s defenses more often. “There were a lot of backhand winners, but a lot of backhand errors as well,” she reflected. “I have to allow myself to miss in order for me to make a lot of winners. It was all about who was going to take the backhand line, let’s be honest. It was all about who was going to get that good crosscourt ball in order to get down the line.”
In the second set, holds traded until Sakkari faced two break points at 1-1; she erased them with a deep topspin forehand that forced a weak reply, then held with an ace. Breaking again at 2-1 on a low backhand slice that skidded off the hardcourt, she stretched to 3-1, her consistency wearing down her rival’s rhythm. The surface’s speed favored her one–two combinations, turning the later games into a procession as the Greek sealed the match with controlled power.
Early edge builds team momentum
Osaka grew sharper on returns toward the end, attempting more aggressive one–two punches, yet Sakkari’s baseline depth held firm. “Honestly, I thought it wasn’t a bad first match for what it was,” she said. “I definitely could have been more aggressive on the returns, and I think I did that a little bit towards the end, but learning not to be afraid of mistakes, and kind of just going for it from the beginning.” Her candor highlighted the learning curve, especially amid illness, while underscoring Sakkari’s tactical edge.
Greece’s bench pulsed with energy as the win landed, injecting belief into a squad aiming for deeper runs in Group C. Sakkari’s performance, blending emotional steadiness with precise adjustments, offers a blueprint against stronger foes ahead. Fans can follow the action via United Cup: Scores | Standings | Order of Play, where Japan’s response could shift the tie’s balance in the mixed doubles.
