Sakkari qualified for Adelaide with an impressive performance

An impressive appearance was made by Maria Sakkari in the first round of the Adelaide International.

The Greek champion, number 32 in the world ranking, qualified for the round of 16 with 6-3, 6-3 win over Linda Noskova (Czech Republic, No30), within 74 minutes.

Her next mission is very difficult, as she faces the leader of the board in the early hours of Wednesday, Jessica Pegula (USA, No7).

This was Sakkari’s first main draw win since the Olympics, following a shoulder injury that kept her out for about five months and dropped her several places in the world rankings.

“Every match I play I feel a lot better, so I feel… lucky loser to have the opportunity to play and improve my game day by day. Today I felt much better than two days ago, which makes me very happy, because I missed that feeling of winning, competing, just playing against all these players here. I am very happy that I have been given the opportunity again and I will try to make the most of itSakkari said after the match.

“It wasn’t my choice to take the break, but when you’re injured you have to look at the positives and the positives were that I spent time at home, I didn’t travel, I stayed away from the tour. It was a great break, but I’m very happy to be back and today was a great comeback after these months. I love Australia, I’m glad to be back here, it’s probably the best time of the season“, he added.

As for her next opponent, Jessica Pegula? “We have played many times, we know each other very well. I’m going to go out there and try to play better than I did today. I want to improve my game day by day and start feeling like before. I can’t wait».

An ACE to take the opening set??@mariasakkari | #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/QFdoQUV6ZT

— wta (@WTA) January 7, 2025

the Sakkari shout ???@mariasakkari moves past Noskova for a spot in round 2!#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/F5EPRFHiRi

— wta (@WTA) January 7, 2025