Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari has secured her first win in this year’s Australian Open women’s singles competition.
The tennis player’s first win was against Nao Hibino, where she came out victorious 6-4 and 6-1.
Round two? Sign @mariasakkari up ✍️
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2024
The No. 8 seed progresses with a 6-4 6-1 win. #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/EHdblFGu8B
“I lost three first rounds [in] my last three Grand Slams, so for me, it was a very difficult match today emotionally,” Sakkari said after the match.
“I’m very happy I was able to do the job right.
“I was relieved in a way that I managed to win that first set by not playing my great tennis, but sometimes you have to win ugly – definitely that second set was not ugly.”
The first set and a steely-eyed stare from @mariasakkari 💪
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2024
She leads Hibino 6-4.
#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/w5p4iDJpvN
Sakkari spent most of November and December in Greece running, lifting weights and training on the courts to prepare for the Australian Open. This involved at least four hours on the court and two hours training in the gym per week.
“It’s been I think the best pre-season I’ve ever had in my career,” she said. “I feel young and very powerful, very energetic.”
Source: Australian Open.
