USATSI
The streak is over. Before arriving at the 2021 Miami Open, No. 2 Naomi Osaka was once on a 23-match winning streak — including the final two Grand Slams, with her final loss coming 13 months ago. The 23-year-old was once taking a look to retain the momentum going, but No. 23 seed Maria Sakkari had other plans. Sakkari defeated Osaka 6-0, 6-4 in Wednesday’s quarterfinal.
With the loss she will also have to wait for the top ranking.
After the defeat, Osaka discussed what went unsuitable and what she can take absent from the experience:
“What can I memorize from the loss? I am not in reality certain presently, I knew that going into the match … she’s like a in reality big fighter, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I felt like I haven’t been playing mannered this whole tournament, like I couldn’t find a groove, so mentally it’s in reality tough for me.”
Sakkari, 25, is following in the footsteps of her mother, tennis player Angeliki Kanellopoulou, who’s highest ranking was once No. 43 in the 1980s.
Sakkari mentioned her mother’s legacy after the big win, but points out she is on her own path.
“I never felt like I need to break my mom’s record, not at all. I admire her for what she achieved and for the person she is, and what she has provided me and my siblings some of these years,” she said.
“It is a enormous object for me having a person in my circle of relatives that in reality felt the way I feel on court … I’m in reality super proud of her and more than happy, you realize, that I’m her daughter.”
Sakkari will face No. 8 seed Bianca Andreescu. Canada’s Andreescu is coming off a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.