(VIDEO)"That’s why nobody likes you!": Maria Sakkari blasts Yulia Putintseva in shocking net confrontation

Maria Sakkari and Yulia Putintseva had a fiery discussion at the net after a lively encounter at the Bad Homburg Open. The Greek former World No. 3 secured a 7-5, 7-6(6) victory in the first round of the tournament and criticized Putintseva's attitude during the handshake at the net, sparking the argument.

It was a fiercely contested match where both players showed conviction in their service games, and Sakkari's win ultimately came down to fine margins. The second-set tie-break saw both struggling to hold their service games and ended with a heated atmosphere when Sakkari clinched the win on her second match point.

Putintseva had shown her frustration throughout the match, and as she approached the net for the traditional handshake, Sakkari reprimanded her for not making eye contact during the handshake. "Just be like a human being," Sakkari told her, while Putintseva angrily retorted, "I was a human being, look at yourself," and then added, "just leave me alone."

"That’s why nobody likes you, nobody likes you," Sakkari retorted. "When you shake hands with someone, look them in the eyes," she added. "Thank you very much," Putintseva responded ironically and made a sarcastic 'bow' gesture as she left the court, to the jeers of the crowd.

After the match, Sakkari addressed the tense situation with her opponent. "I don't think she's going to invite me for dinner for the rest of our lives, but I don't care, to be honest," Sakkari said. "I have very good friends and I'll go to dinner with them. Let me leave it here, and just say that I have respect for her as a player, but that's it."

The World No. 86—who received a wildcard into the main draw—secured her passage to the second round of the WTA 500 tournament. She now awaits her opponent, the winner between Ekaterina Alexandrova (8th seed) and Belinda Bencic.