US Open: Maria Sakkari knocked out in stunning first round upset

One of the biggest names in the women’s draw at the US Open has had her dreams crushed in a shock opening round upset.

It didn’t take long for a shock upset to unfold at the 2024 US Open.

Greek star Maria Sakkari, the no. 9 seed, saw her grand slam dreams come crashing down as she was forced to retire.

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The 29-year-old dropped the opening set 6-2 against China’s Wang Yafan before having work done on her neck/shoulder area.

Shortly after the match was called as Sakkari retired due to the apparent injury.

Since making the semi-finals in the US Open and French Open in 2021, Sakkari has struggled in grand slams, losing five times in the first round.

Since reaching the fourth round at the 2022 Australian Open, she had not advanced past the third round in 11 straight Grand Slam appearances.

Sakkari recently represented Greece at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where as the No. 7 seed, she was knocked out in the Round of 16 by Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.

Maria Sakkari knocked out in opening round. (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Aussie demolishes opening round opponent

Alexei Popyrin booked his spot in the second round after dispatching South Korean Soonwoo Kwon 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

The 28th seed blasted 14 aces and lost only three of his 37 first-serve points as he continued his stellar recent form.

Popyrin must now beat Spaniard Pedro Martinez before a likely clash with Djokovic, whom he took a set off at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in grand slam clashes this year.

“I feel like I’ve had a lot of scenarios in my career where I had one more match, and then I would play a big match, so I’ve kind of gotten used to focusing on the match that I’ve got in hand,” Popyrin said.

“And then if I win that, then, yeah, obviously I’ve got Novak in the third. But, honestly, I’m just thinking of this match and not thinking about Novak.”

Popyrin was unstoppable. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

US Open opening round scores - Aussies

Alexei Popyrin def. Soonwoo Kwon 7-5, 6-2, 6-3

Maya Joint def. Laura Siegemund 6-4, 7-5

Ajla Tomljanovic def. Ann Li 6-4, 6-4

Kimberly Birrell lost to Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-4

Adam Walton lost to Alexandre Muller 3-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4

Rinky Hijikata vs Alejandro Davidovich 7-6, 3-6, 3-2

Priscilla Hon vs Aryna Sabalenka

Originally published as US Open: Maria Sakkari knocked out in stunning first round upset