It is rare that tennis fans get a match of former WTA Top 3 players immediately out of the gate of a new season, but that is what happened when Maria Sakkari, representing Team Greece, faced Naomi Osaka of Team Japan in United Cup Perth action on January 2, 2026.
Sakkari won the match in straight sets. She protected her serve well despite getting in some tight games when Osaka threatened to break. Her athleticism was on display as she was running down Osaka’s shots.
Maria Sakkari starts her 2026 season with a Top 20 win‼️
6-4 6-2 vs. Naomi Osaka showing a great level and amazing physical condition pic.twitter.com/HRUFKevbyK
— Mario Boccardi (@boccardi_marioo) January 2, 2026
For her part, Osaka’s timing looked a bit off. It seemed she was reacting late to Sakkari’s shots. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion who would like nothing more than to win her third Australian Open in a few weeks.
Sakkari has been dealing with injuries in recent years and has not been able to get back to her peak form. If today is an indicator, she is back and ready to compete with anyone. After some coaching changes, she reunited with her longtime coach Tom Hill midseason last year. Hill was with her during her most successful WTA seasons.
Still seems weird to think Sakkari 🇬🇷 is at 52 in the world.
She’s 30 years old now, but I still feel she should be back in the top 20 this year. #UnitedCup— Todd Scoullar (@ToddScoullar) January 2, 2026
Does United Cup Matter?
It is a co-ed 18 team event so in the sense that players start the new season playing for their countries. There is a women’s singles, men’s singles, and a mixed doubles match. It is a best of three set format.
For players, it allows them to get to Australia and adjust to the climate and conditions weeks before the Australian Open. United Cup matches are played in both Perth and Sydney with nine teams playing in each location.
The United States is the defending champion with Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz leading the way in 2025 over the Polish finalists comprised of Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz.
Those not competing are elsewhere in Australia preparing, at the Brisbane International which begins January 4.
