Maria Sakkari tried, but failed to succeed against Naomi Osaka at the opening round of the Brisbane International.

The 24-year-old athlete, who was unfortunate enough to be drawn against one of the top three in the rankings, easily lost the first set to her famous opponent 2-6.

She continued with her fighting spirit and came back guns blazing, forcing the Japanese athlete into a tie-break in the second set. Sakkari gained an early 6-2 lead that Osaka threatened to claw her way back from (6-4), but eventually the Kilkis-born player won the final crucial point that saw her bring the game back on level terms.

However on the third and final set, Osaka demonstrated the reason why she’s considered on of the world’s greatest tennis players, breaking Sakkari’s serve and gaining an early lead, leaving almost no hope to the Greek player.

The resulting 3-6 score was proof of Osaka’s dominance, leaving Sakkari with a feeling of disappointment after it was all said and done.

Young Sakkari now turns her attention to the Australian Open, with the tournament beginning on 20 January at the courts of Melbourne.