Wimbledon Countdown X: Sakkari

Maria Sakkari (4)

-Greece

-26 years old

-World number 6

Intro and last year

Maria Sakkari has been a consistent power in the top ten for the last two years, but a grand slam final still eludes her, however she’s been knocking at the door for a while.

2021 saw Sakkari go out in round two to Shelby Rogers, the median average of her Wimbledon performances. This year she’ll be fourth seed.

History at the event

Sakkari’s best run was round three, in 2017 and 2019, it’s a low bar to pass, but this is her weakest slam.

Her record at Wimbledon is 6-5, an 55% win rate.

This season

In 2022, Sakkari made her first Masters 1000 final at Indian Wells, and has a record two tournament finals. She reached her peak ranking of world number three.

Her grass season started at Nottingham, she started as top seed, but lost the quarterfinal to Haddad Maia.

Sakkari’s next grass event was in Berlin, she lost in the semifinal to Bencic.

Next, she will play in Eastbourne as the third seed.

Build up and form

The Greek has been playing at a level below her ranking on this more attacking surface, but she is still a top player, and a consistent one.

Positives

Sakkari has been on an upward trajectory in her career, and it won’t be hard to best her 2021 run, or even 2019. She’s always consistently earned her place in the top eight, and she has been learning to be more aggressive and attacking of late.

Negatives

Sakkari has a game style not suited to the fast attacking grass, and history has shown she struggles at Wimbledon.

Expectations

Sakkari is a top player, and should improve on previous efforts, but Wimbledon is not her best venue.

Best expected: F

Expected: 4th round

Worst expected: 1st round