Maria Sakkari will remember her opening match at the Australian Open for a long time after producing a moment of magic that even shocked the Greek player herself.
The former top 10 star moved into the last 64 of the draw with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over France’s Leolia Jeanjean. During the later stages of the match, Sakkari delighted the crowd in Melbourne by hitting a stunning return winner when leading by a set and 4-2. Getting ready to receive, she returned a serve out wide from her opponent with a slice forehand winner that went around the net and landed in.
Despite being ranked as high as third in the world, playing in two Grand Slam semi-finals and winning two WTA titles, Sakkari admitted during her on-court interview that she never expected to be able to hit such a shot during a match. Adding with glee that she is sure it will be one of the best shots at this year’s tournament.
“I’m 30 years old now, I’ve been playing tennis for 25 years, I could never imagine that I can actually hit that kind of return,” she said.
“You see when Roger hits it, Carlos and then myself. And I’m like, ah, you know, I’m pretty sure it’s going to make one of the best shots of the tournament.”
Unsurprisingly, Sakkari later told reporters that her around-the-net winner is without a doubt the best shot she has hit in her career.
“Top one by far,” she commented. “It’s not everyday you hit this kind of a shot.
“I didn’t know what to think because I never thought I could hit that kind of a shot. It was just so natural, I just hit and I was praying it was going to go in.
“It was a one-off thing and I’m super excited because I’m sure it’s going to be up there with one of the best shots.”
Sakkari, who is unseeded in the draw, enters the Australian Open with mixed results so far this season. At the United Cup, she produced wins over former major champions Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, but lost to Emma Raducanu. Then, in Adelaide, she was beaten in the first round by Daria Kasatkina.
Her best Australian Open result was reaching the fourth round twice in 2020 and 2022.
