Greece has successfully secured its place in the quarterfinals of the United Cup, following impressive three-set victories by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari that clinched their match against Great Britain. This marks Greece’s return to the knockout round for the third time in the tournament’s four editions, reinforcing their status as formidable competitors.
Maria Sakkari made headlines with her first career victory over Emma Raducanu, winning the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. This victory makes her 2-0 in singles for the season after she previously triumphed over Naomi Osaka during their tie with Japan. Celebrating her achievement, Sakkari expressed a sense of accomplishment, stating, “It doesn’t get any better. Especially after the season I had last year, I came into this tournament with low expectations but felt optimistic about what I can deliver.”
Sakkari initially faced challenges as Raducanu took an early 2-0 lead, breaking her serve. However, Sakkari swiftly adapted, winning six of the following seven games to secure the first set. Although Raducanu showed resilience, taking the second set, Sakkari regained her momentum in the final set, decisively breaking Raducanu and closing out the match with confidence.
In the opening singles match, Stefanos Tsitsipas also showcased his tenacity by overcoming Billy Harris of Great Britain. After a rocky start, Tsitsipas won 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), demonstrating his ability to rally and maintain composure during the crucial moments of the match. With this victory, Tsitsipas bolstered his impressive 8-2 singles record in the mixed-team event.
Reflecting on the importance of match experiences, Tsitsipas said, “Getting tough matches in makes you a better player. It feeds your creativity and understanding of the game.” This attitude underlines the Greek team’s determination to improve and adapt through challenging encounters on the court.
Great Britain did manage to salvage a point in the tie through a mixed doubles match, where Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski defeated Despina Papamichail and Stefanos Sakellaridis, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome of the tie.
As the United Cup progresses, Greece’s strong start to the season and their competitive spirit position them as a team to watch, with both Tsitsipas and Sakkari showing promise for upcoming matches. Their journey in the tournament reflects not only their personal growth but also their commitment to elevating Greek tennis on the international stage.