Maria Sakkari may consider taking a break after US Open exit

• World No. 8 Maria Sakkari continued her losing streak in Grand Slams after being beaten in the first round of the US Open by Rebeka Masarova
• Following defeat at the US Open on Monday, an emotional Sakkari said she just feels like she has been poor of late

World No. 8 Maria Sakkari continued her losing streak in Grand Slams after being beaten in the first round of the US Open by Rebeka Masarova. The 28-year-old, who reached two major semi-finals in 2021, has now lost in the opening round at the last three majors.

Following defeat at the US Open on Monday, an emotional Sakkari said she just feels like she has been poor of late in the court. Sakkari, who reached world No. 3 last year, added that she will have to do something about her performance, and may include taking a break from tennis for some time.

Maria Sakkari. Photo/ Eurosport.

“I wouldn’t say I was playing well. If I played at least five or 10 per cent better, I would have won the match. These are the matches that I have to win. I cannot lose these matches, there have been too many for my level this year and it’s unfortunate. I just feel like my level was and has been poor and I have to do something about it. It’s not a lack of effort, for sure. I don’t know. It’s very uncertain, I don’t know what I am going to do, whether I am going to take a break or not.” Eurosport quotes Maria Sakkari.

Maria Sakkari Exits US Open 

Sakkari exited the US Open after being downed 6-4 6-4 by Rebeka Masarova. World No. 71 Masarova fought back from 4-1 down to cause one of the biggest upsets of day one at the US Open.

Going into the match, Sakkari had every advantage of progressing to the next round. The two players had met earlier this year in Madrid, where Sakkari emerged victorious in three sets.

Immediately the match started, Sakkari appeared to be at her best and everything was going fine as she had expected. The 28-year-old hammered two aces in the first game, taking it 40-0. She was putting on a show for the crowd, including some knife-like slices, some net play and even drop shots.

Meanwhile, Masarova was holding her by using height and speed. The Spaniard was 1-4 down when she started surging. She broke Sakkari and held her serve to win the first set 6-4.

When the second set started, it looked like the game would be interrupted by rain. However, the rain held off and fans continued to see Masarova dominate Sakkari.

Maria Sakkari may consider taking a break from tennis after losing in the first round of the US Open to world No. 71 Rebeka Masarova. Photo/ ESPN.

The former world No. 3 was making a lot of errors in the second set, which was an advantage to Masarova. The 24-year-old won the set 6-4.

Following her victory over Maria Sakkari at the US Open on day one, Rebeka Masarova has already defeated the highest-seeded player she’ll meet in her quarter of the draw.