Sixth seed Maria Sakkari welcomed the New Year taking in Perth, visiting iconic locations including Kings Park, Matilda Bay, the Blue Boat Shed and the South Perth foreshore following her victory over Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova [90] 6-3, 6-2.
The tennis star was photographed around the city with her lucky racket and holding the Greek flag against the wind.
Sakkari took a rare break from her United Cup campaign with Team Greece before facing Belgium’s world No.29 Elise Mertens when she takes to the court of RAC Arena on Tuesday 3 January.
In the doubles, Sakkari and Tsitsipas, who had previously competed alongside each other at the 2019 Hopman Cup and 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, asserted their authority by racing out to quick 5-1 leads in each set.
Tsitsipas’ strong serving had been key to his own Day 1 victory over Grigor Dimitrov as he closed out both sets on his delivery ahead of facing David Goffin of Belgium — as Greece (1-0) tries to complete a clean sweep in Group A. The former World No. 7 held firm last year, winning his 300th career match on the way to his sixth ATP Tour title in Marrakech, and beating World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Astana.
Meanwhile, teammate Michail Pervolarakis will take on Belgium’s Zizou Bergs on the same day.
“As Team Greece, I think we have never been stronger,” Tsitsipas said. “We have a lineup of great players. We are extremely collaborative between each other. I think that is something that will give us big chances this year to start this first edition of the United Cup, and be part of history in a way.”
“We are still trying to figure out which place has better souvlaki: Perth, Melbourne, or Sydney,” Tsitsipas said, smiling. “So that has occupied a big portion of our conversations. We are trying to spot the differences.”
Perth is the only city in the United Cup hosting a group featuring three playing captains, Petros Tsitsipas is the captain for Greece, Kirsten Flipkens is Belgium’s captain and Grigor Dimitrov is leading Bulgaria.
Last but not least, later today Despina Papamichail is set to go up against Alison van Uytvanck at the RAC Arena in Perth. The two will meet on an outdoor hard court.
Even if Greece loses today it is bound to make it to the finals going up against either France or Croatia following Argentina’s disqualification.
