Maria Sakkari is into the quarter-finals of the Citi Open in Washington D.C.
The Greek player has struggled with injury and a loss of form over the past year.
She ended her 2024 season early after the US Open to nurse a shoulder injury and as a result, she dropped out of the top 75.
This season has been one of rebuilding for Sakkari and it has not been easy, but she is making steady progress in America’s capital city.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesMaria Sakkari shares a conversation she had with Naomi Osaka at the Italian Open
Maria Sakkari began her Citi Open campaign by defeating Britain’s Katie Boulter 6-3, 6-4.
She backed up that win by taking out home favourite Emma Navarro to reach just her second quarter-final of the season and a first since January.
To reach the semi-finals in Washington D.C., the 29-year-old will have to beat one of two Grand Slam champions, Naomi Osaka or Emma Raducanu.
After overcoming Navarro, Sakkari disclosed a conversation she had with Osaka at the Italian Open, in which she commended the Japanese star for dropping to the WTA 125 level to win the Saint-Malo title, her first on clay.
“It’s going to be interesting because they are both playing good,” Sakkari said when assessing the two players. “Emma obviously had a great run in Wimbledon. She’s been playing really well. But I feel like Naomi is also getting up there.
“I actually went up to her, it was in Rome after she played that 125, and that for me was great. That, for me, I respected her before, but after that, like, I had massive respect.
“Because not a lot of Grand Slam champions and superstars like she is would do something like that. I feel like that would really help her to come back to the top, and I just feel like she’s been playing great tennis and it’s going to come.
“I said it from my heart and I believe it. It was amazing. Conditions are not great and it’s a 125, and it’s not great, but that shows a lot of strength and a lot of mental strength.”
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesWhat are Maria Sakkari’s head-to-head records against Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka?
Sakkari has played Osaka on five previous occasions, but not since 2021.
The four-time Grand Slam champion claimed three of their first four meetings at Indian Wells, Birmingham in the UK, and the Australian city of Brisbane.
But Sakkari claimed their battle at the 2018 Cincinnati Masters, in addition to their Miami Open quarter-final four years ago.
On the other hand, Sakkari has been less successful against Raducanu. She has faced the Brit on three occasions and has yet to defeat her.
Their most high-profile meeting came at the 2021 US Open, when Raducanu won their semi-final 6-1, 6-4, before going on to win the title at Flushing Meadows.
Raducanu has yet to drop a set against Sakkari and the former top 10 player will hope to change that if she squares off against the British number one in Washington D.C.
AloJapan.com