By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, January 17, 2026Photo credit score: Australian Open Fb
Maria Sakkari defied her personal creativeness within the wildest shot of Australian Open Day 1.
Pushed effectively off the courtroom chasing a large serve, watch Sakkari bend an excellent forehand return across the web put up that blew even her thoughts.
“I’ve by no means hit in my life, like I’m 30 years previous now, I’ve been taking part in tennis for 25 years now,” Sakkari stated. “I might by no means think about that I might hit that form of return. You see it when Roger hits it, Carlos after which myself.
“I’m like aah I’m fairly positive it’s gonna make most likely top-of-the-line pictures of the match.”
Sakkari nominating herself for one of the best level of the match on Day 1 – issues we LOVE to see 👌@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/kb5q33PHOY
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2026
The shot sparked Sakkari to a 6-4, 6-2 sweep of Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean on Margaret Courtroom Enviornment.
Sakkari will play both eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva, who simply gained Adelaide, or Donna Vekic in spherical two.
