On Sunday, Maria Sakkari defeated Léolia Jeanjean to advance at the Australian Open.
Sakkari, the former world number three, defeated Jeanjean 6-4, 6-2 in Melbourne and will face Donna Vekic or Mirra Andreeva in the second round.
After a disappointing 2025 season, Sakkari appears to have re-captured her form, as demonstrated by victories against Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu at the United Cup.
Sakkari’s performance against Jeanjean was exemplary, and she struck one shot in particular that captured the hearts of tennis fans worldwide.
Nick Kyrgios reacts to Maria Sakkari’s stunning Australian Open shot
At 6-4, 4-2, Sakkari hit a return shot that can already be considered a contender for shot of the tournament.
Jeanjean, serving from the deuce court, sliced the ball out wide, forcing Sakkari outside of the tramlines.
In a last-ditch attempt to retrieve the ball, Sakkari swung her racket at the ball.
Remarkably, Sakkari’s slice forehand curled around the net post, landing in the court, much to the disbelief of the commentators and Sakkari herself.
After the miraculous shot Sakkari put her hands behind her head, in awe of her attempt.
On X [formerly Twitter], Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Australian Open Men’s Doubles champion, reacted to Sakkari’s stunning feat.
He said: “This is nuts.”
Maria Sakkari’s performance against Léolia Jeanjean
Sakkari’s performance against Jeanjean was truly spectacular, and if Mirra Andreeva faces the Greek star in the next round, she will need to be wary of a potential upset.
Against Jeanjean, Sakkari made 80 per cent of her first serves, winning 72 per cent of those points.
Remarkably, Sakkari also won a staggering 89 per cent of her points on second serve.
Comparatively, Jeanjean made 58 per cent of her first serves, winning 52 per cent of those points. The French player also won 50 per cent of her second serve points.
Sakkari also struck four aces to Jeanjean’s zero and converted four of her five break-point opportunities.
If Sakkari, 30, defeats Mirra Andreeva or Donna Vekic in the second round, she will play Alja Tomljanovic, Yuliia Starodubtseva or Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third round.
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