Sakkari Opens Toronto Campaign with Straight-Sets Victory
Maria Sakkari made a confident start at the National Bank Open in Toronto on Thursday, defeating Turkey's Zeynep Sönmez 6-3, 6-2 in the second round. The Greek 29th seed needed just over an hour to seal her fourth career win over Sönmez, extending her head-to-head lead to 3-1 with all three victories coming in straight sets.
Sakkari's serve proved particularly effective, as she fired five aces without facing a single ace from her opponent. The 31-year-old won 83 percent of her first-serve points and converted four of eight break opportunities. She also showed resilience in saving two of three break points against her, ensuring there was no late drama in either set.
The win sets up a highly anticipated third-round meeting with fourth seed Coco Gauff, a rematch of their dramatic 2024 French Open final. The American leads the head-to-head 6-5, but Sakkari has won their last two encounters, including a three-set thriller in Rome earlier this year. With Gauff having advanced past Kayla Day 6-2, 7-5 on Wednesday, the stage is set for a blockbuster clash on Saturday.
Context: A Tough Draw and a Season of Redemption
Sakkari's path through the Toronto draw was never going to be easy. As the 29th seed, she was always likely to face a top-four player in the third round, and Gauff represents one of the toughest challenges on hard courts. However, Sakkari's recent form suggests she is ready for the test.
The Greek star has been rebuilding her game after a difficult 2025 season that saw her drop out of the top 20 for the first time in three years. She has shown signs of a resurgence over the summer, reaching the semifinals in Berlin and the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she pushed eventual champion Iga Swiatek to three sets. Her coach, Tom Hill, has emphasized a more aggressive approach, and that was evident in her serving stats against Sönmez.
Thursday's victory also carried wider significance for Greek tennis. With Stefanos Tsitsipas struggling with injury and form, Sakkari remains the country's biggest hope for a deep run at the US Open, which begins in less than three weeks. A strong showing in Toronto would not only boost her confidence but also her seeding at Flushing Meadows.
Gauff's Rising Star Power and the Eala Factor
While Sakkari's match against Gauff will dominate headlines, the Canadian Open has been equally defined by the emergence of Filipino teenager Alex Eala. Eala's run to the Washington title last week—where she defeated Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, Naomi Osaka, and Jessica Pegula—has turned her into a crowd favorite in Toronto. Her third-round match against Caty McNally sold out Centre Court, with tournament officials confirming more than 5,000 tickets sold for the fixture.
Gauff, who could face Eala in the quarterfinals, has been vocal in her praise of the 20-year-old. "I think the demographic that Alex is bringing to the sport of tennis is so great," Gauff said. "All of us should embrace that, because we're all benefiting from it." That sentiment reflects a broader trend in the WTA, where new stars are attracting diverse audiences and filling stadiums.
For Sakkari, however, the focus remains narrow: beating Gauff and advancing deeper into a tournament she has never won. The Greek has reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slams but has yet to claim a WTA 1000 title, a stat she is eager to correct.
Perspective: Toronto as a Springboard for the US Open
The National Bank Open has historically served as a launching pad for US Open success, and this year is no exception. With the year's final Grand Slam looming, every match in Toronto carries extra weight. For Sakkari, a victory over Gauff would send a clear message to the rest of the tour that she is once again a force to be reckoned with on hard courts.
But the tournament is also showcasing a changing of the guard. Eala's surge, along with the impressive form of young Americans like Iva Jovic—who beat Magda Linette in straight sets—highlights a generation ready to challenge the established elite. Gauff, still only 22, is herself part of that youth wave, yet has already accumulated a major title and a year-end No. 1 ranking.
Sakkari's experience could be her greatest asset. She has played in these high-stakes matches countless times and knows how to handle the pressure that comes with facing a top-five opponent. Her 2023 win over Gauff in Montreal, where she came from a set down to win in three, remains one of the best matches of her career. A similar performance on Saturday would not only secure a quarterfinal berth but also provide the kind of momentum that could carry her deep into the US Open.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Sobeys Stadium. Whether it is Sakkari's power game colliding with Gauff's athleticism, or Eala's fan-fueled run continuing to captivate, the Canadian Open is delivering compelling storylines. For Sakkari, though, the narrative is simple: one match at a time, and the next is Coco Gauff.
For more on the Canadian Open, check out our preview of the Ruud vs Fonseca showdown and the Osaka vs Mertens third-round clash.
Comments