Two years ago Maria Sakkari reached the semi-finals of the US Open. On Monday, she was already eliminated in the first round.
The horror series continues: Maria Sakkari was eliminated in the first round at the third Grand Slam tournament in a row. The world number eight lost her opening match at the US Open on Monday against Rebeka Masarova from Spain 4:6, 4:6.
It was a bitter setback for the Greek, who had reached the semi-finals in 2021. There she lost to the eventual winner, qualifier Emma Raducanu.
Świątek shines in a hurry
Far better things went for the world number one on Monday. Defending champion Iga Świątek from Poland reached the second round of the US Open in a hurry. The 22-year-old gave Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson no chance in a 6-0, 6-1 win to open the tournament.
The world number one converted her second match point after just 58 minutes. Świątek is aiming for her fifth Grand Slam title on hard court in New York.
She is the first player in more than 30 years to win more than 40 sets to nil in two years, according to data service provider Opta. The last to do so were Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.
Siegemund the first German
Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and French Open finalist Carolina Muchowa from the Czech Republic also made it past the first round. Bencic beat Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-4 – Muchova beat Storm Hunter of Australia 6-4, 6-0.
The first German player will then also be in action on Tuesday night. Laura Siegemund will meet US superstar Coco Gauff as the underdog. Alexander Zverev will be on court on Tuesday at noon German time to face the Australian Vukic.
