United Cup: Maria Sakkari annihilated by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in season opener

Maria Sakkari bought crushed in her opening match of the season after world No. 54 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro handed her a 6-2 6-1 defeat on the United Cup. 

Within the opening match of the Greece and Spain tie, the previous world No. 3 entered as the favourite to win. 

However the Greek tennis star by no means stood an opportunity after shedding her serve a shocking seven occasions and shedding with simply three video games received. 

It was the primary assembly between Sakkari and the Spaniard.

Image good 👌🇪🇸

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro defeats Sakkari 6-2 6-1 to offer Workforce Spain a 1-0 lead.#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/LhDO6X4fa4

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 28, 2024

Now, the Greek crew has is dependent upon Stefanos Tsitsipas, who should beat Pablo Carreno Busta to ship the tie right into a deciding combined doubles match.

How Bouzas Maneiro beat Sakkari?

Proper from the beginning of the match, the Spaniard had the higher hand and claimed back-to-back breaks to open a 3-0 lead.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro© United Cup/Instagram – Truthful Use

 

Down early by two breaks, the Greek managed to get one break again within the fourth sport. 

However Sakkari’s serving woes continued as she dropped her serve once more within the seventh sport earlier than Bouzas Maneiro closed out the opener within the following sport. 

The world No. 54 continued her run in the beginning of the second set, incomes a break within the very first sport of the set. 

Whereas the previous world No. 3 bought the break again immediately within the second sport, it did not change a lot because the Spaniard received the subsequent 5 video games to finish her two-set win in fairly some model. 

If Tsitsipas beats Carreno Busta, the tie will probably be resolved by way of a combined doubles match – wherein the top-ranked Greek male tennis participant will doubtless crew up with Sakkari. 

For the highest-ranked Greek feminine tennis participant, it could be good if that might occur so she will get a shot to bounce again and put the painful singles defeat behind her.