Maria Sakkari’s Australian Open campaign ended in the first round on Tuesday, January 14, as the Greek tennis star was defeated 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4 by Colombia’s Camila Osorio after a gripping 2-hour, 32-minute battle on Court 3.
The contest was closely contested from the start. Sakkari opened with a break but quickly found herself trailing 1-3 after losing three straight games. She fought back to level at 3-3 and 4-4, but ultimately lost her serve again in the 10th game, giving Osorio the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Sakkari rallied from a 2-4 deficit, winning a crucial tie-break 7-4 to level the match at one set apiece. However, the third set saw both players exchange breaks early, with Sakkari leading 4-3 before facing a pivotal game at 4-4.
A rollicking contest comes to a close!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2025
It's @CamiOsorioTenis who gets the better of Maria Sakkara, finally, after two-and-a-half hours.
She's through 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4
It's only round one, by the way! How good is this!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen… pic.twitter.com/W15PWPiTuD
Despite saving three break points and reaching game point, Sakkari could not hold serve, allowing Osorio to break and lead 5-4. The Colombian sealed the match 6-4 in the final game.
Sakkari, who has been recovering from a shoulder injury and was playing in Australia for the first time in five months, acknowledged that she is still working on regaining her top form.
With the win, Osorio advances to the second round. For Sakkari, it was the earliest exit from the tournament since 2018 and her first first-round loss in Melbourne since 2021.
Source: Tennis News.
