"It feels like it was a century ago": Maria Sakkari balks at Wuhan 2017 breakthrough on return to tournament

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at 08:30

Maria Sakkari returns to Wuhan Open this week, aiming for another breakthrough. This time, Sakkari will look to recapture former glories after she broke out at this event all the way back in 2017.

Nine years ago, she defeated the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Vesnina and Alize Cornet before falling to Caroline Garcia in the semi-finals. Nine years later, it comes full circle as she admits that while she has recollections of it, it feels like a lifetime ago.

But for a former top five staple, Sakkari, of course, had to start somewhere, and that somewhere was the Wuhan Open when she was ranked around World No. 80 and was a qualifier.

"That's when I cracked the top 50 for the first time," Sakkari said. "It is a special place in my heart because I had my first big wins against Wozniacki, Vesnina, and Cornet back in the day. Some great names that I managed [beat] to back-to-back.

SAKK-ATTACK! ⚡️ @mariasakkari defeats Kostyuk 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 and moves on in Wuhan. #dongfengvoyahwuhanopen https://t.co/9bkxMEW1uY
— wta (@WTA) October 13, 2026

"It feels like it was a century ago. Sometimes I look in pictures -- nowadays, I feel very young, but back then I was even younger, so I just feel like now I have obviously a lot more experience and more maturity. Back then, I was just a little bit fearless, and I didn't really think about too much. The more you grow up, the more you think about other things. It's been almost 10 years since that run, and I'm still producing some very good tennis."

Sakkari returns for the first time since 2018

Interestingly too, with the tournament not played for a number of years and then Sakkari sliding down the rankings herself, it is the first time since 2018 that she has returned in singles.

She played doubles last year but has not played in the main event. This no doubt brings up an even bigger stark contrast to those 2017 days.

She beat Marta Kostyuk 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to become the first player to reach the third round. She faces Mia Pohankova for a spot in the quarter-finals. It would be her first eight years since Doha in February and her first overall since Athens in the summer.

"[Marta's] been playing some amazing tennis this year, so I knew coming in I had to produce some very good level," Sakkari said. "Last week against [Elina] Svitolina, I think that I was playing well. I was just not brave enough to take those breakpoints.

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"All I'm thinking is I have the chance to try and do something different than last week. The base of my game is there. It's just that I [I need to] try to be a little bit more brave in the big moments."

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