Disappointment continued to chase Maria Sakkari, as she crashed out of the San Diego Open this week. The Greek tennis star has had an abysmal year so far, getting eliminated in the first few rounds of tournaments. The American qualifier Emma Navarro defeated Sakkari to score her first win against a top-10 player.
Sakkari has been in woeful form for a while now. It continued at the now-concluded, US Open too, where Rebeka Masarova got the better of her, defeating her 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets. Sakkari was absolutely devastated by the loss and even broke down during the press conference.
It was her third consecutive first-round elimination from a Grand Slam this year. Maria felt the need to take a break from the sport since she was not performing up to her standards. However, she returned to the tennis court earlier than planned due to the outpouring of love she received. She vowed she would do better.
But her return has not gone according to plan. Sakkari won the first round against Camila Osorio as a result of a walkover. Navarro was Sakkari’s first real challenge and she floundered.
Tennis fans have started to lose patience with Maria Sakkari. Her performances have been below-par and her loss to Navarro cements it. Users of the social media site X (formerly Twitter) absolutely ripped into her, as one commented, “Destroyed by a f*cking rookie.” Here are a few fan reactions.
it has been 1,586 days since maria sakkari has won a wta title pic.twitter.com/a6AIfkbbcT
— #2akkariInSD (@suaveetl) September 6, 2023
She got destroyed by a fuckin rookie 😎
— Tennis (@tennis15051995) September 15, 2023
No one loves wasting opportunities like Maria Sakkari
— DepressedNYFan (@depressedny_) September 15, 2023
Maria lost her chance to find her footing against Navarro, but she did enough to ensure it was not a route. As for Navarro, she grabbed her chances with both hands.
Maria Sakkari vs. Emma Navarro match summary
The American qualifier Emma Navarro has won the biggest match of her career so far by defeating Maria Sakkari. In doing so, Navarro has reached the semifinal of the San Diego Open.
Maria broke first to take the lead 3-1 against the American but she struggled to hold on. Navarro fought back to claim the first set. Sakkari showed glimpses of her old self in the second set, as she bageled Navarro.
Absolutely epic. What an incredible win for Charleston native, Ashley Hall grad Emma Navarro.
Her first ever win over a world top 10, she defeats Maria Sakkari in a 3rd set tiebreak.
Navarro won 2 matches as a qualifier in San Diego, and now 3 in main draw. On to semis. pic.twitter.com/8SkLnH4MZC
— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) September 15, 2023
Both players went toe-to-toe in the final set, which ultimately went into a tiebreak. Navarro went up 4-0 very quickly and did not look back from thereon.
Emma Navarro will take on fellow American player Sofia Kenin in the semifinal. Kenin wrapped up the match in 78 minutes, as she defeated Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-3.