Maria Sakkari

Maria Sakkari was born on 25 July 1995 to mother Angelikí Kanellopoúlou, a former top-50 tennis player, and father Konstantinos Sakkaris, in Athens. She has two siblings: brother Yannis and sister Amanda. Her grandfather Dimitris Kanellopoulos was also a professional tennis player.{{cite web |title=Mourning for Maria Sakkari: Her grandfather Dimitris Kanellopoulos "passed away" |url=https://newsbulletin247.com/opinion/122565.html |website=newsbulletin247 |access-date=11 October 2022}} She was introduced to tennis by her parents at age 6 and moved to Barcelona at age 18 in order to train. She has said that her favorite surfaces are hard and clay and that her favorite shot is the serve. Growing up, her favourite players were Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.{{Cite web|title=Maria Sakkari's Bio|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/318312/maria-sakkari/bio|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026174849/https://www.wtatennis.com/players/318312/maria-sakkari/bio|url-status=live}} Sakkari currently resides in Monte Carlo.{{Cite web|date=July 26, 2019|title=Exclusive interview with Greek star Maria Sakkari: "Some opponents don't like it"|url=https://tennishead.net/exclusive-interview-with-greek-star-maria-sakkari-some-opponents-dont-like-it/|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=tennis head|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026115712/https://tennishead.net/exclusive-interview-with-greek-star-maria-sakkari-some-opponents-dont-like-it/|url-status=live}} She is dating Konstantinos Mitsotakis, the son of the prime minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis.{{Cite web |title=Netflix 'Break Point': Five things to know about Maria Sakkari |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3014193/netflix-break-point-five-things-to-know-about-maria-sakkari |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}}

Sakkari appears in the tennis docuseries Break Point, which premiered on Netflix on January 13, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Tennis Docuseries 'Break Point' Is Coming to Make a Racket |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/break-point-tennis-show-release-date-cast-news |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Netflix Tudum |language=en}}

File:Maria Sakkari (23105481810) (cropped).jpg

Her first two attempts to debut on the WTA Tour were unsuccessful. At the Rio Open, she lost in the first round of qualifying to María Irigoyen,{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/318312/maria-sakkari#matches |title=Maria Sakkari - Matches |language=en |publisher=WTA |author=WTA Staff |date=2024-02-05 |access-date=2024-02-08}} and later lost in the final stage of qualifying at Bucharest Open to Daria Kasatkina. However, on her third attempt, she not only made her debut on WTA Tour, but it was at a major, as she qualified for the US Open.{{Cite web|last=PILON|first=MARY|date=September 2, 2015|title='Grexit' at the U.S. Open|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/grexit-at-the-u-s-open-tennis-greece-fiscal/|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=Politico|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028011452/https://www.politico.eu/article/grexit-at-the-u-s-open-tennis-greece-fiscal/|url-status=live}} In the qualifying, she beat Anastasija Sevastova, An-Sophie Mestach and Petra Martić, but then lost in the first round of the main draw to Wang Qiang.{{Cite web|last=Ybanez|first=Alvin|date=September 3, 2015|title=China's Wang Qiang Advances at U.S. Open|url=http://en.yibada.com/articles/60037/20150903/china-wang-qiang-advances-open.htm|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=Yibada|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128000739/http://en.yibada.com/articles/60037/20150903/china-wang-qiang-advances-open.htm|url-status=live}} After the US Open, Sakkari entered the top 200 for the first time, reaching a ranking of 185. By the end of the year, she only played on the ITF Circuit and on the WTA Challenger Tour, where she reached semifinals at the Carlsbad Classic. Sakkari ended the year ranked 188.

Sakkari started the 2016 season with no-passing qualification at Brisbane International and Hobart International. At the Australian Open, she first qualified, and then, in the first round of main draw, achieved a win against Wang Yafan.{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2016|title=Greece's Sakkari makes it to second round of Australian Open|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/205160/gallery/ekathimerini/in-images/greeces-sakkari-makes-it-to-second-round-of-australian-open|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ekathimerini.com|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027000728/https://www.ekathimerini.com/205160/gallery/ekathimerini/in-images/greeces-sakkari-makes-it-to-second-round-of-australian-open|url-status=live}} That win was her first at the WTA Tour, as well as her first Grand Slam match win. In the second round, she lost to Carla Suárez Navarro.{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Josh|date=January 21, 2016|title=Australian Open Third Round Preview: Carla Suarez Navarro - Elizaveta Kulichkova|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2016/01/21/594274-australian-open-third-round-preview-carla-suarez-navarro-vs-elizaveta-kulichkova.html|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Vavel|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026111611/https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2016/01/21/594274-australian-open-third-round-preview-carla-suarez-navarro-vs-elizaveta-kulichkova.html|url-status=live}} At the Mexican Open in Acapulco, she was eliminated in the first round by Johanna Larsson.{{Cite web|title=2016 Mexico Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/acapulco/mex/2016/w-int-mex-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027015737/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/acapulco/mex/2016/w-int-mex-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}} At the Indian Wells Open, she attempted to qualify for her first Premier Mandatory/Premier 5 tournament in the main draw, but failed in the first round of qualification.{{Cite web|date=March 2016|title=2016 BNP Paribas Open - Qualification - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/indian-wells/usa/2016/w-pm-usa-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026221020/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/indian-wells/usa/2016/w-pm-usa-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}} In Miami, she succeeded to qualify, but lost in the first round of the main draw to Irina-Camelia Begu.{{Cite web|title=2016 Miami Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/miami/usa/2016/w-pm-usa-02a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027033624/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/miami/usa/2016/w-pm-usa-02a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}}

Her second win on the WTA Tour was at the Istanbul Cup, where she defeated top seed Anna Karolína Schmiedlová. After beating Hsieh Su-wei in the second round, she reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinal, where she lost to Danka Kovinić.{{Cite web|date=April 2016|title=2016 Istanbul Cup - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/istanbul/tur/2016/w-int-tur-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027021911/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/istanbul/tur/2016/w-int-tur-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}} In Madrid, she failed to reach the main draw, losing to Patricia Maria Țig in the final stage of qualifying.{{Cite web|date=May 2016|title=2016 Mutua Madrid Open - Qualification - Singles|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/posting/2016/1038/QS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512193457/http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/posting/2016/1038/QS.pdf|archive-date=May 12, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF}} Competing the qualifying at the 2016 French Open, she missed the chance to play in the main draw, losing her first match to Grace Min.{{Cite web|date=May 2016|title=2016 French Open - Qualification - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/french-open/fra/2016/w-sl-fra-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026214832/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/french-open/fra/2016/w-sl-fra-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}}

File:Sakkari WM16 (9) (27802590873).jpg]]

Sakkari got through qualifying for Wimbledon and won her first match at that tournament, defeating Zheng Saisai, but then lost in the second round to five-time former Wimbledon champion, Venus Williams.{{Cite web|agency=Reuters|date=June 30, 2016|title=Venus keeps her wits about her to down Greek qualifier|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/venus-keeps-her-wits-about-her-to-down-greek-qualifier|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Sportskeeda|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026190648/https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/venus-keeps-her-wits-about-her-to-down-greek-qualifier|url-status=live}} After this result, on July 11, 2016, she reached 97 in the rankings.

In Cincinnati, she lost in the qualifying to Zheng.{{Cite web|date=August 2016|title=2016 Western & Southern Open - Qualification - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/cincinnati/usa/2016/w-p5-usa-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026132933/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/cincinnati/usa/2016/w-p5-usa-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}} At the US Open, she only reached the first round, where Duan Yingying defeated her, but it was her first Grand-Slam appearance in the main draw without need to play in qualifying.{{Cite web|last=Γιαννουδάκη|first=Αργυρώ|date=August 28, 2016|title=Πρεμιέρα του US Open με Σάκκαρη!|url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/other-sports/article/972175/premiera-toy-us-open-me-sakkari|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=gazzetta.gr|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027101705/https://www.gazzetta.gr/other-sports/article/972175/premiera-toy-us-open-me-sakkari|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=September 2016|title=2016 US Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/us-open/usa/2016/w-sl-usa-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026193041/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/us-open/usa/2016/w-sl-usa-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}} At the China Open, she lost in the final stage of qualifying to Wang Yafan.{{Cite web|date=October 2016|title=2016 China Open - Qualification - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/beijing/chn/2016/w-pm-chn-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004134/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/beijing/chn/2016/w-pm-chn-01a-2016/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}}

In 2017, she reached the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the Australian Open, where she lost in the third round to Mirjana Lučić-Baroni.{{Cite web|last=GEORGAKOPOULOS|first=GEORGE|date=January 21, 2017|title=2017 Australian Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/215486/article/ekathimerini/sports/sakkari-bows-out-of-the-australian-open|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ekathimerini.com|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902075843/http://www.ekathimerini.com/215486/article/ekathimerini/sports/sakkari-bows-out-of-the-australian-open|url-status=live}} In both Indian Wells and Miami, she failed in qualifying. She started the clay-court season at Charleston Open, where she got to the second round, where she lost to Jeļena Ostapenko.{{Cite web|last=AP|date=April 5, 2017|title=Laura Siegemund eliminates Venus Williams in Round 3 of Volvo Open|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2017/04/05/siegemund-outlasts-venus-williams-at-volvo-open/100100472/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=USA Today|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317225830/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2017/04/05/siegemund-outlasts-venus-williams-at-volvo-open/100100472/|url-status=live}} In Madrid and Rome, Sakkari lost in the qualifying. At the French Open, she debuted in the main draw, where she lost in the first round to Carla Suárez Navarro.{{Cite web|last=efe-epa|date=May 30, 2017|title=Carla Suarez knocks out Maria Sakkari to reach French Open 2nd round|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/sports/carla-suarez-knocks-out-maria-sakkari-to-reach-french-open-2nd-round/50000266-3281514|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=efe|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004137/https://www.efe.com/efe/english/sports/carla-suarez-knocks-out-maria-sakkari-to-reach-french-open-2nd-round/50000266-3281514|url-status=live}}

Grass-court season went better for Sakkari, reaching the quarterfinals at Nottingham Open and her first third round at Wimbledon, where Johanna Konta stopped her from going into round of 16.{{Cite web|date=June 2017|title=2017 Nottingham Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/aegon-open-nottingham/gbr/2017/w-int-gbr-01a-2017/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004134/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/aegon-open-nottingham/gbr/2017/w-int-gbr-01a-2017/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Gray|first=James|date=July 7, 2017|title=Wimbledon 2017: How Johanna Konta beat Maria Sakkari to reach fourth round for first time|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/825979/Johanna-Konta-v-Maria-Sakkari-LIVE-Wimbledon-2017-latest-score-updates-results|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=express.co.uk|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710150516/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/825979/Johanna-Konta-v-Maria-Sakkari-LIVE-Wimbledon-2017-latest-score-updates-results|url-status=live}}

At the US Open, she reached the same stage as she did at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, making the third round for the third time. In the first two rounds, she defeated Kiki Bertens and Arina Rodionova, but was eliminated by Venus Williams in the third round.{{Cite web|last=Herald Archive|first=The National|date=August 29, 2017|title=US Open: Maria Sakkari Defeats Kiki Bertens|url=https://www.thenationalherald.com/archive_sports/arthro/us_open_maria_sakkari_defeats_kiki_bertens-26315/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=The National Herald|archive-date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923122602/https://www.thenationalherald.com/archive_sports/arthro/us_open_maria_sakkari_defeats_kiki_bertens-26315/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Dickson Jefford|first=Oliver|date=1 September 2017|title=US Open: Venus Williams victorious over Maria Sakkari|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2017/09/01/823393-us-open-sakkari-williams-recap.html|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Vavel|archive-date=10 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004156/https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2017/09/01/823393-us-open-sakkari-williams-recap.html|url-status=live}} She reached her first WTA Tour semifinal at the Wuhan Open by beating Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Vesnina and Alizé Cornet, but then missed her chance to reach her first WTA final, losing to Caroline Garcia.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=September 28, 2017|title=Sakkari sinks Cornet to seal semifinal place in Wuhan|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1416165/sakkari-sinks-cornet-to-seal-semifinal-place-in-wuhan|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004144/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1416165/sakkari-sinks-cornet-to-seal-semifinal-place-in-wuhan|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Dickson Jefford|first=Oliver|date=September 29, 2017|title=WTA Wuhan: Caroline Garcia eases past Maria Sakkari to reach the final|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2017/09/29/832558-wta-wuhan-caroline-garcia-eases-past-maria-sakkari-to-reach-the-final.html|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Vavel|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004135/https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2017/09/29/832558-wta-wuhan-caroline-garcia-eases-past-maria-sakkari-to-reach-the-final.html|url-status=live}} This success propelled her into the top 50 of the WTA rankings, reaching No. 50, on 2 October 2017.{{Cite web|last=Newsroom|date=October 4, 2017|title=Maria Sakkari rises to the 50th place of the WTA rankings|url=https://thegreekobserver.com/blog/2017/10/04/maria-sakkari-rises-50th-place-wta-rankings/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=The Greek Observer|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004139/https://thegreekobserver.com/blog/2017/10/04/maria-sakkari-rises-50th-place-wta-rankings/|url-status=live}} Her last tournament of the season was the Tianjin Open, where Christina McHale eliminated her in the second round.{{Cite web|date=October 2017|title=2017 Tianjin Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2017/1076/MDS.pdf|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013083733/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2017/1076/MDS.pdf|url-status=live}}

Sakkari started 2018 season with four first-round losses, against Danka Kovinić in the Shenzhen Open, Kateřina Siniaková at the Australian Open, Julia Görges in the St. Petersburg, and Sorana Cîrstea in the Doha.{{Cite web|date=January 2018|title=2018 WTA Shenzhen Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/1063/MDS.pdf|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=January 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127025847/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/1063/MDS.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=January 2018|title=2018 Australian Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/australian-open/aus/2018/w-sl-aus-01a-2018/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027071614/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/australian-open/aus/2018/w-sl-aus-01a-2018/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=January 30, 2018|title=Goerges beats Sakkari in St. Petersburg|url=https://www.espn.com.au/tennis/story/_/id/22263784/goerges-beats-sakkari-st-petersburg|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ESPN|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026131108/https://www.espn.com.au/tennis/story/_/id/22263784/goerges-beats-sakkari-st-petersburg|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=February 13, 2018|title=Sorana Cîrstea s-a calificat în turul doi la Doha. Begu a fost eliminată (in Romanian)|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/sport/tenis/sorana-cirstea-s-a-calificat-in-turul-doi-la-doha-877611|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=digi24.ro|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027070234/https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/sport/tenis/sorana-cirstea-s-a-calificat-in-turul-doi-la-doha-877611|url-status=live}} In Dubai, she reached the final stage of qualification, but did not make it to the main draw, losing to Samantha Stosur.{{Cite web|date=February 2018|title=2018 Dubai Championships - Qualification - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/718/QS.pdf|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219125323/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/718/QS.pdf|url-status=live}} In Acapulco, she recorded her first win of the 2018 season, defeating Lara Arruabarrena in the first round, but lost against Stefanie Vögele in the second.{{Cite web|date=March 1, 2018|title=Vögele in Acapulco im Viertelfinal (in German)|url=https://www.vaterland.li/international/sport/sport/tennis/voegele-in-acapulco-im-viertelfinal;art87,317455|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027023907/https://www.vaterland.li/international/sport/sport/tennis/voegele-in-acapulco-im-viertelfinal;art87,317455|url-status=live}}

At Indian Wells, Sakkari managed to beat Donna Vekić, 16th seed Ashleigh Barty and 17th seed CoCo Vandeweghe, respectively.{{Cite web|last=Abulleil|first=Reem|date=March 14, 2018|title=Maria Sakkari puts rough start to 2018 behind her as she finds form in Indian Wells|url=https://sport360.com/article/tennis/272318/maria-sakkari-puts-rough-start-to-2018-behind-her-as-she-finds-form-in-indian-wells|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Sport 360|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027174240/https://sport360.com/article/tennis/272318/maria-sakkari-puts-rough-start-to-2018-behind-her-as-she-finds-form-in-indian-wells|url-status=live}} She lost in the fourth round to the eventual champion, Naomi Osaka. At the Miami Open, she defeated Aleksandra Krunić and 28th seed Anett Kontaveit, and reached the third round where she lost to Monica Puig.{{Cite web|last=IANS|date=March 26, 2018|title=Puig beats Sakkari to enter Miami Open quarters|url=https://www.ibtimes.sg/puig-beats-sakkari-enter-miami-open-quarters-25505|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=International Business Times|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027114432/https://www.ibtimes.sg/puig-beats-sakkari-enter-miami-open-quarters-25505|url-status=live}}

Sakkari started her clay-court season by reaching her first semifinal in 2018 in (Istanbul) where she beat Çağla Büyükakçay, Aleksandra Krunić and Arantxa Rus, respectively, before losing to Polona Hercog.{{Cite web|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|date=April 28, 2018|title=Invincible Hercog moves into Istanbul final|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1442925/invincible-hercog-moves-into-istanbul-final|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027123541/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1442925/invincible-hercog-moves-into-istanbul-final|url-status=live}} She then lost in the first round of the Madrid Open to Kiki Bertens.{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2018|title=Bertens in twee sets langs Sakkari (in Dutch)|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/2002411/bertens-in-twee-sets-langs-sakkari|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=telegraaf.nl|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026201343/https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/2002411/bertens-in-twee-sets-langs-sakkari|url-status=live}} Her next tournament was the Italian Open, where she avenged her Madrid exit by beating Bertens in the first round, and then had her second win against a top-ten player by beating Karolína Plíšková.{{Cite web|date=May 15, 2018|title=Bertens in Rome al in eerste ronde onderuit (in Dutch)|url=https://www.lc.nl/sport/Bertens-in-Rome-al-in-eerste-ronde-onderuit-23183236.html?harvest_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=Leeuwarder Courant|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004225/https://lc.nl/sport/Bertens-in-Rome-al-in-eerste-ronde-onderuit-23183236.html?harvest_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=May 16, 2018|title=Sakkari upsets Pliskova to move into Rome third round|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1442467/sakkari-upsets-pliskova-to-move-into-rome-third-round|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026202528/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1442467/sakkari-upsets-pliskova-to-move-into-rome-third-round|url-status=live}} She lost in the third round to Angelique Kerber.{{Cite web|title=2018 Italian Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/709/MDS.pdf|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614020300/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/709/MDS.pdf|url-status=live}} At the French Open, she reached the third round, after defeating Mandy Minella and Carla Suárez Navarro and then she completed third rounds at all Grand Slam tournaments. In the third round, she lost to 14th seed Daria Kasatkina.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=June 1, 2018|title=Kasatkina holds off Sakkari to reach new heights in Paris|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1442042/kasatkina-holds-off-sakkari-to-reach-new-heights-in-paris|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029011133/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1442042/kasatkina-holds-off-sakkari-to-reach-new-heights-in-paris|url-status=live}}

Sakkari lost all of her matches of the grass-court season. She was defeated by Julia Görges at the Birmingham Classic, Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Eastbourne International, and by Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon.{{Cite web|date=June 2018|title=2018 Birmingham Classic - Main Draw - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/1052/MDS.pdf|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619120907/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/1052/MDS.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=June 2018|title=2018 Eastbourne International - Main Draw - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/710/MDS.pdf|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826205905/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/710/MDS.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=July 2018|title=2018 Wimbledon - Main Draw - Singles|url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/wimbledon/gbr/2018/w-sl-gbr-01a-2018/draws-and-results/|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=ITF|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026201413/https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/wimbledon/gbr/2018/w-sl-gbr-01a-2018/draws-and-results/|url-status=live}}

The U.S. hardcourt series started well for Sakkari, reaching her first Tour final at the San Jose Classic, where she beat Christina McHale, Tímea Babos, third seed Venus Williams, and Danielle Collins before she lost to Mihaela Buzărnescu in the final.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=August 5, 2018|title=Buzarnescu blitzes Sakkari in San Jose for first WTA title|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1440505/buzarnescu-blitzes-sakkari-in-san-jose-for-first-wta-title-|access-date=October 23, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027025656/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1440505/buzarnescu-blitzes-sakkari-in-san-jose-for-first-wta-title-|url-status=live}} On 6 August, she reached a new career-high ranking of No. 31. After that result, she was not successful in the rest of the US Series, reaching only first rounds at the Rogers Cup and Connecticut Open where she lost to Daria Kasatkina and Zarina Diyas, respectively, as well as only second rounds at the Cincinnati Open and US Open.{{Cite web|last=Rutherford|first=Peter|date=August 8, 2018|title=Hometown favorite Bouchard falls in Montreal|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis-hometown-favorite-bouchard-falls-montreal-031224103--ten.html|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=Yahoo!|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027192836/https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis-hometown-favorite-bouchard-falls-montreal-031224103--ten.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=August 2018|title=2018 Connecticut Open - Main Draw - Singles|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/602/MDS.pdf|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125224207/http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2018/602/MDS.pdf|url-status=live}} At Cincinnati, she beat Naomi Osaka in the first round and avenged her loss in Indian Wells earlier that year.{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=David|date=August 14, 2018|title=Sakkari outclasses Osaka in clash of rising stars|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1440257/sakkari-outclasses-osaka-in-clash-of-rising-stars|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026202531/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1440257/sakkari-outclasses-osaka-in-clash-of-rising-stars|url-status=live}} However, in the second round, Anett Kontaveit knocked her out of the tournament.{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=David|date=August 16, 2018|title=Bertens advances over injured Wozniacki in Cincinnati|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1440219/bertens-advances-over-injured-wozniacki-in-cincinnati|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027040239/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1440219/bertens-advances-over-injured-wozniacki-in-cincinnati|url-status=live}} When the US Open started, she debuted in the top 30. At the US Open, she was seeded for the first time at any Grand Slam championship (No. 32), and she had to play against two Americans in the first two rounds, winning against Asia Muhammad, but then lost to Sofia Kenin.{{Cite web|last=Stamas|first=Andrew|date=August 28, 2018|title=Greek tennis sensations Tsitsipas & Sakkari both win first round in US Open|url=https://greekcitytimes.com/2018/08/28/greek-tennis-sensations-tsitsipas-sakkari-both-win-first-round-in-us-open/|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=Greek City Times|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026214949/https://greekcitytimes.com/2018/08/28/greek-tennis-sensations-tsitsipas-sakkari-both-win-first-round-in-us-open/|url-status=live}}

At the Korea Open, Sakkari made another WTA semifinal, defeating Anna Karolína Schmiedlová, Margarita Gasparyan and Irina-Camelia Begu, respectively, in first three rounds, before she was defeated by Kiki Bertens in the semifinal.{{Cite web|date=September 22, 2018|title=Bertens naar finale in Seoul|url=https://www.ad.nl/tennis/bertens-naar-finale-in-seoul~a1b61be6/|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=ad.nl|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027113830/https://www.ad.nl/tennis/bertens-naar-finale-in-seoul~a1b61be6/|url-status=live}} At both the Wuhan Open and China Open, Sakkari failed in the first rounds, losing to Wang Qiang and Donna Vekić, respectively. In her last two tournaments in 2018, Tianjin Open and Luxembourg Open, Sakkari failed in the first round. She finished the year inside the top 50, reaching No. 41.

Sakkari started year with a first-round loss at Hobart, where she was defeated by Magda Linette. Sakkari reached the third round at the Australian Open, defeating Jeļena Ostapenko and Astra Sharma, before she was eliminated by Ashleigh Barty.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=January 14, 2019|title=Sizzling Sakkari solves Ostapenko in Melbourne|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1450904/sizzling-sakkari-solves-ostapenko-in-melbourne|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004138/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1450904/sizzling-sakkari-solves-ostapenko-in-melbourne|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Hope|first=Shayne|date=January 16, 2019|title=Astra Sharma's debut Australian Open campaign ends with second-round defeat to Maria Sakkari|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/astra-sharmas-debut-australian-open-campaign-ends-with-second-round-defeat-to-maria-sakkari-ng-b881075921z|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=The West Australian|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203041726/https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/astra-sharmas-debut-australian-open-campaign-ends-with-second-round-defeat-to-maria-sakkari-ng-b881075921z|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2019|title=Sakkari's Australian Open dream comes to an end|url=https://neoskosmos.com/en/127246/sakkari-stopped-at-the-third-round/|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=neoskosmos|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506211513/https://neoskosmos.com/en/127246/sakkari-stopped-at-the-third-round/|url-status=live}} At next three tournaments, Sakkari was eliminated in the first rounds: at St. Petersburg by Julia Görges, at the Mexican Open by Monica Puig, and at Indian Wells by Christina McHale. At the Miami Open, she defeated Olga Danilović in the first round, but lost to No. 3, Petra Kvitová, in the second.

File:Sakkari RG19 (41) (48199111587).jpg]]

As it regards the clay-court season, she started playing at Charleston Open, where she defeated Conny Perrin, Andrea Petkovic and second seed Kiki Bertens, respectively. Then she reached quarterfinal where she was defeated by fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki. At İstanbul Cup, she failed in first round from Veronika Kudermetova. The Morocco Open was special for Sakkari, because until 23 September 2023 when she won the Guadalajara title, it had been her only tournament where she had succeeded to win a title. On her road to the final, she defeated Olga Danilović, Isabella Shinikova, Elise Mertens, Alison Van Uytvanck, and then, in the final, she defeated Johanna Konta.{{cite web | title=Sakkari slides past Konta to claim first WTA crown in Rabat | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/sakkari-slides-past-konta-claim-first-wta-crown-rabat | work=WTA Tennis | date=4 May 2019 | access-date=2 June 2019 | archive-date=5 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505084519/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/sakkari-slides-past-konta-claim-first-wta-crown-rabat | url-status=live }} After winning the title, she climbed from 51 to place 39 in the WTA rankings.{{Cite web|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|date=May 6, 2019|title=WTA rankings Update 2019: Sakkari rises, Teichmann, Muchova crack Top 100|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1448524/wta-rankings-update-2019-sakkari-rises-teichmann-muchova-crack-top-100|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126042350/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1448524/wta-rankings-update-2019-sakkari-rises-teichmann-muchova-crack-top-100|url-status=live}} While in Madrid she did not have much success, reaching only first round, in Rome she firstly passed qualification and then she reached her second career-Premier-5 semifinal, but there lost to the eventual champion Karolína Plíšková.{{cite web | title='I never felt great, but maybe that helped me': Pliskova ends Sakkari run, faces Konta in Rome final | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/%E2%80%98i-never-felt-great-maybe-helped-me%E2%80%99-pliskova-ends-sakkari-run-faces-konta-rome-final | work=WTA Tennis | date=18 May 2019 | access-date=2 June 2019 | archive-date=4 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804113346/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/%E2%80%98i-never-felt-great-maybe-helped-me%E2%80%99-pliskova-ends-sakkari-run-faces-konta-rome-final | url-status=live }} At the French Open, she was seeded for the first time there at No. 29, and she reached second round, winning against Anna Tatishvili in first round, but lost in second round to Kateřina Siniaková.{{Cite web|last=Livaudais|first=Stephanie|date=May 30, 2019|title=French Open roundup: Siniakova stuns Sakkari, sets Osaka clash|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447905/french-open-roundup-siniakova-stuns-sakkari-sets-osaka-clash|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208034818/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447905/french-open-roundup-siniakova-stuns-sakkari-sets-osaka-clash|url-status=live}}

On grass court, first she got to the quarterfinal of the Nottingham Open where she lost to Jennifer Brady.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=June 12, 2019|title=Sakkari soldiers on in rainy Nottingham|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447587/sakkari-soldiers-on-in-rainy-nottingham|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208112253/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447587/sakkari-soldiers-on-in-rainy-nottingham|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=June 14, 2019|title=Brady sinks Sakkari to reach Nottingham semis|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447531/brady-sinks-sakkari-to-reach-nottingham-semis|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004139/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447531/brady-sinks-sakkari-to-reach-nottingham-semis|url-status=live}} Then at the Birmingham Classic, she was eliminated in the first round by Naomi Osaka.{{Cite web|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|date=June 18, 2019|title=Osaka outguns Sakkari in Birmingham opener|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447457/osaka-outguns-sakkari-in-birmingham-opener|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208115427/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447457/osaka-outguns-sakkari-in-birmingham-opener|url-status=live}} In Eastbourne, she beat Jessica Pegula, but Johanna Konta stopped her from going further than round one.{{Cite web|date=June 25, 2019|title=Johanna Konta defeats Maria Sakkari in Eastbourne|url=https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11748838/johanna-konta-defeats-maria-sakkari-in-eastbourne|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=Sky Sports|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626000858/https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11748838/johanna-konta-defeats-maria-sakkari-in-eastbourne|url-status=live}} At Wimbledon, she reached her second third round there, beating Bernarda Pera and Marie Bouzková, but then lost to Elina Svitolina in the third round.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=July 5, 2019|title=Svitolina slips past Sakkari to seal Wimbledon second week spot|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447026/svitolina-slips-past-sakkari-to-seal-wimbledon-second-week-spot|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307082611/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1447026/svitolina-slips-past-sakkari-to-seal-wimbledon-second-week-spot|url-status=live}}

In San Jose, she played her second semifinal there, winning against top-seeded Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinal, but this time she did not make it to the final, losing in her semifinal match to Zheng Saisai.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=August 2, 2019|title=Sakkari pulls off Svitolina stunner in San Jose QF: 'I was one step away from losing'|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1446415/sakkari-pulls-off-svitolina-stunner-in-san-jose-qf-i-was-one-step-away-from-losing|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031223519/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1446415/sakkari-pulls-off-svitolina-stunner-in-san-jose-qf-i-was-one-step-away-from-losing|url-status=live}} At Rogers Cup, she lost to Alison Riske in the first round. In Cincinnati, she reached a new Premier-5 quarterfinal, before she lost to world No. 1, Ashleigh Barty, in three sets.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=August 16, 2019|title='I had to go back to basics' - Barty battles by Sakkari to make Cincy semis|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1446081/i-had-to-go-back-to-basics-barty-battles-by-sakkari-to-make-cincy-semis|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208110313/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1446081/i-had-to-go-back-to-basics-barty-battles-by-sakkari-to-make-cincy-semis|url-status=live}} At the US Open, she lost in third round, again to Barty.{{Cite web|last=WALTON|first=DARREN|date=August 31, 2019|title=US Open 2019: Ash Barty beats Maria Sakkari in the third round|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/us-open-2019-ash-barty-beats-maria-sakkari-in-the-third-round/news-story/399e34622fbf53a22822e4dba66b313d|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=foxsports|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004157/https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/us-open-2019-ash-barty-beats-maria-sakkari-in-the-third-round/news-story/399e34622fbf53a22822e4dba66b313d|url-status=live}}

Back in Europe, she only played one tournament. She played at Kremlin Cup, where in first round, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat her in three sets.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=October 15, 2019|title='Playing at home, it feels very special' - Pavlyuchenkova stops Sakkari in Moscow opener|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1485482/playing-at-home-it-feels-very-special-pavlyuchenkova-stops-sakkari-in-moscow-opener|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004143/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1485482/playing-at-home-it-feels-very-special-pavlyuchenkova-stops-sakkari-in-moscow-opener|url-status=live}} For the first time in Sakkari's career, she qualified for some year-end championships. At WTA Elite Trophy, she lost both matches in her group, to Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka.{{Cite web|last=Wancke|first=Barbara|date=October 22, 2019|title=Zhuhai {{!}} Sabalenka opens Elite Trophy with Sakkari win|url=https://tennisthreads.net/zhuhai-sabalenka-opens-elite-trophy-with-sakkari-win/|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=tennis threads|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004145/https://tennisthreads.net/zhuhai-sabalenka-opens-elite-trophy-with-sakkari-win/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|date=October 23, 2019|title='A little bit up-and-down' - Victorious Mertens ends Sakkari hopes in Zhuhai, sets decisive Sabalenka clash|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1485361/a-little-bit-up-and-down-victorious-mertens-ends-sakkari-hopes-in-zhuhai-sets-decisive-sabalenka-clash|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210004139/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1485361/a-little-bit-up-and-down-victorious-mertens-ends-sakkari-hopes-in-zhuhai-sets-decisive-sabalenka-clash|url-status=live}}

Sakkari was successful at the first Grand Slam tournament of year, the Australian Open, where she reached her first Grand Slam round of 16. Victories over Margarita Gasparyan (first round), Nao Hibino (second) and No. 11 Madison Keys (third) propelled her to the round of 16, where she was defeated by Petra Kvitová in three sets.{{Cite web|last=Livaudais|first=Stephanie|date=January 26, 2020|title=Kvitova survives Sakkari to return to Australian Open quarterfinals|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1589378/kvitova-survives-sakkari-to-return-to-australian-open-quarterfinals|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026064614/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1589378/kvitova-survives-sakkari-to-return-to-australian-open-quarterfinals|url-status=live}} At her next tournament, she continued this success. She played at the St. Petersburg Trophy, where she reached her new Premier semifinal. She won against Vitalia Diatchenko and Alizé Cornet in first two-rounds, and then in the quarterfinal, she made her new top-10 win, defeating No. 5 Belinda Bencic, before new rising star, Elena Rybakina, stopped her from reaching the final.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=February 15, 2020|title=Rybakina advances to biggest final in St. Petersburg|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1610642/rybakina-advances-to-biggest-final-in-st-petersburg|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026061812/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1610642/rybakina-advances-to-biggest-final-in-st-petersburg|url-status=live}} In Dubai, she did not do well, losing in the first round to seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=February 18, 2020|title=Sabalenka slips past Sakkari in Dubai nightcap|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1614880/sabalenka-slips-past-sakkari-in-dubai-nightcap|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219041006/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1614880/sabalenka-slips-past-sakkari-in-dubai-nightcap|url-status=live}} In Doha, she did much better, winning against Julia Görges and Tereza Martincová in first two rounds, but again, Aryna Sabalenka was too strong for her.{{Cite web|date=February 27, 2020|title=Sabalenka stops Sakkari to book Doha 2020 quarterfinal spot|url=https://eng.belta.by/sport/view/sabalenka-stops-sakkari-to-book-doha-2020-quarterfinal-spot-128541-2020/|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=Belta|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908203826/https://eng.belta.by/sport/view/sabalenka-stops-sakkari-to-book-doha-2020-quarterfinal-spot-128541-2020|url-status=live}} After the comeback of the WTA Tour, after COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, Sakkari first played at Palermo International, where she was eliminated in first round from Kristýna Plíšková.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=August 3, 2020|title=Pliskova powers past Sakkari in Palermo nightcap|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1747729/pliskova-powers-past-sakkari-in-palermo-nightcap|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924152200/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1747729/pliskova-powers-past-sakkari-in-palermo-nightcap|url-status=live}} At the Cincinnati Open, Sakkari made another quarterfinal. In round one, she defeated young American player Coco Gauff, in second round Yulia Putintseva, and then in third round, she had one of her biggest career wins, defeating Serena Williams in three sets. However, in the quarterfinal, she lost to Johanna Konta.{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=David|date=August 26, 2020|title=Sakkari solves Serena under Grandstand lights|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1779421/sakkari-solves-serena-under-grandstand-lights|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031233237/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1779421/sakkari-solves-serena-under-grandstand-lights|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=David|date=August 26, 2020|title=Konta conquers Sakkari to make Cincy semis|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1782889/konta-conquers-sakkari-to-make-cincy-semis|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207010213/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1782889/konta-conquers-sakkari-to-make-cincy-semis|url-status=live}} At the US Open, she continued her great performance, reaching round of 16 for the first time there. She defeated Stefanie Vögele, Bernarda Pera and Amanda Anisimova, before Serena Williams stopped her from reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.{{Cite web|last=Bairner|first=Robin|date=September 7, 2020|title=Serena battles past Sakkari into US Open QF|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1814616/serena-battles-past-sakkari-into-us-open-qf|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917173225/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1814616/serena-battles-past-sakkari-into-us-open-qf|url-status=live}} At the French Open, as the No. 20 seed, Sakkari reached her second third round; against qualifier Martina Trevisan, she had match points but missed the chance to reach the round of 16.{{Cite web|last=WTA Staff|date=October 2, 2020|title=Trevisan saves match points to stun Sakkari in Paris|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1851002/trevisan-saves-match-points-to-stun-sakkari-in-paris|access-date=October 22, 2020|website=WTA|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009011147/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1851002/trevisan-saves-match-points-to-stun-sakkari-in-paris|url-status=live}}

Sakkari started off the season strongly making the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Open without dropping a set with wins over Anastasia Potapova, Coco Gauff and Garbiñe Muguruza. She then came from a set down to upset top seed Sofia Kenin{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1969993/sakkari-storms-to-comeback-win-over-kenin-in-abu-dhabi|title=Sakkari storms to comeback win over Kenin in Abu Dhabi|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-03-31|archive-date=2021-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303205450/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1969993/sakkari-storms-to-comeback-win-over-kenin-in-abu-dhabi|url-status=live}} before losing to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. She then backed this up with a semifinal appearance at the Grampians Trophy before losing to Anett Kontaveit in a three set thriller. However, she was unable to match her previous success at the Australian Open falling in three sets to Kristina Mladenovic. She rebounded with a quarterfinal appearance in Doha losing to eventual champion Muguruza, in straight sets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2053798/azarenka-muguruza-set-doha-semifinal-showdown-with-straight-set-wins|title=Azarenka, Muguruza set Doha semifinal showdown with straight-set wins|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-03-31|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416204504/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2053798/azarenka-muguruza-set-doha-semifinal-showdown-with-straight-set-wins|url-status=live}} She crashed out of the Dubai Championships to eventual finalist Barbora Krejčíková in the first round. However she bounced back in Miami. She beat her opening opponents Arantxa Rus and Ludmilla Samsonova in the second and third rounds, respectively, for the loss of six games combined. She then saved six match points in a three-set thriller against surging Jessica Pegula to reach her third WTA 1000 quarterfinal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2079767/osaka-makes-first-miami-quarterfinal-sakkari-saves-6-match-points-to-beat-pegula|title=Osaka makes first Miami quarterfinal; Sakkari saves 6 match points to beat Pegula|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-03-31|archive-date=2021-03-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330143641/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2079767/osaka-makes-first-miami-quarterfinal-sakkari-saves-6-match-points-to-beat-pegula|url-status=live}} There she faced Naomi Osaka who had not lost a match in over a year and was on a 23 match-winning streak. Sakkari caused one of the upsets of the tournament in defeating the second seed in straight sets. With the win, she ended Osaka's chances of reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking and reached the biggest semifinal of her career. She then faced Bianca Andreescu for a place in the final but was herself defeated in a third set tiebreaker.

File:Sakkari RG21 (19) (51376799374).jpg]]

Sakkari made her first ever Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open after beating Katarina Zavatska, Jasmine Paolini, Elise Mertens, Sofia Kenin, and defending champion Iga Świątek, ending the 11-match, 22-set Roland Garros winning streak of the 2020 champion. She became the first woman from Greece to reach a Grand Slam singles quarterfinal{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2167316/gauff-sakkari-clinch-first-slam-quarterfinal-showings-at-french-open|title=Gauff, Sakkari clinch first Slam quarterfinal showings at French Open|access-date=2021-07-02|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607181605/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2167316/gauff-sakkari-clinch-first-slam-quarterfinal-showings-at-french-open|url-status=live}} and later semifinal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2168440/sakkari-stuns-defending-champ-swiatek-in-french-open-quarters|title=Sakkari stuns defending champ Swiatek in French Open quarters|access-date=2021-06-09|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613051745/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2168440/sakkari-stuns-defending-champ-swiatek-in-french-open-quarters|url-status=live}} It was also the first time in major history that two Greek players (Sakkari and Tsitsipas) were in the semifinals of a Grand Slam championship. However, Sakkari then lost to Barbora Krejčíková in the semifinals, despite having one match point.{{cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2169304/krejcikova-saves-match-point-overcomes-sakkari-in-french-open-semifinal|title=Krejcikova saves match point, overcomes Sakkari in French Open semifinal|work=WTATennis|date=9 February 2022|access-date=9 February 2022}}

In September 2021, Sakkari beat No. 4 seed Karolína Plíšková to earn a place in only the second major semifinal of her career at the US Open to play qualifier from Great Britain Emma Raducanu.{{cite web |title=Photos: Karolina Pliskova vs. Maria Sakkari, 2021 US Open quarterfinals |url=https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2021-09-08/photos_karolina_pliskova_vs_maria_sakkari_2021_us_open_quarterfinals.html |website=usopen |access-date=12 October 2022}} Sakkari's win against Plíšková was her third straight win over a top 10 seed, after defeating No. 6 seed Bianca Andreescu in a record-setting latest women's match in the round of 16{{Cite web |url=https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2021-09-07/maria_sakkari_snaps_bianca_andreescus_streak_to_reach_quarterfinals.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2021-09-16 |archive-date=2021-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916062152/https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2021-09-07/maria_sakkari_snaps_bianca_andreescus_streak_to_reach_quarterfinals.html |url-status=live }} and No. 10 seed, Petra Kvitová, in the third round and she is a 4-0 vs top-5 opponents in 2021. She also became the first Greek woman to reach the semifinals of the US Open.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2246991/unbreakable-sakkari-beats-pliskova-to-make-1st-us-open-semi-faces-raducanu|title=Unbreakable Sakkari beats Pliskova to make first US Open semi, faces Raducanu|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-09-09|archive-date=2021-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909105321/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2246991/unbreakable-sakkari-beats-pliskova-to-make-1st-us-open-semi-faces-raducanu|url-status=live}} She was defeated by Raducanu in straight sets.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/sep/09/emma-raducanu-maria-sakkari-us-open-womens-semi-final-live|title=Emma Raducanu defeats Maria Sakkari in US Open women's semi-final – as it happened|work=The Guardian|date=9 February 2022|access-date=9 February 2022}} As a result, she entered the top 15 at world No. 13 on 13 September 2021, displacing Eleni Daniilidou as the highest ranked Greek player.

At the Ostrava Open, she reached the final defeating the top seed, Iga Świątek. She improved to 2-0 against Swiatek after a her win in the French Open quarterfinals at Roland Garros earlier in the year. This was her seventh win against a top-10 player and eleventh against a top-20 player this season. The Greek advanced to her first final since 2019 after losing nine straight WTA semifinals.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-tennis-czech-republic-ostrava-maria-sakkari-c0f78a7df2854059dcc150fadcb5b131|title=Sakkari, Kontaveit advance to Ostrava Open final|date=September 25, 2021|website=AP NEWS|access-date=September 26, 2021|archive-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926050921/https://apnews.com/article/sports-tennis-czech-republic-ostrava-maria-sakkari-c0f78a7df2854059dcc150fadcb5b131|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2268534/sakkari-ousts-top-seed-swiatek-in-ostrava-to-reach-first-final-of-the-season|title=Sakkari ousts top seed Swiatek; Kontaveit dismisses home hope Kvitova to set Ostrava final|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926053638/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2268534/sakkari-ousts-top-seed-swiatek-in-ostrava-to-reach-first-final-of-the-season|url-status=live}} In the final, she was defeated in threes sets by Anett Kontaveit.{{cite web |title=Top-seeded Sakkari loses at St Petersburg final |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/sports/1177444/top-seeded-sakkari-loses-at-st-petersburg-final/ |website=ekathimerini.gr |access-date=11 October 2022}} As a result of reaching the final, she entered the top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time in her career on 27 September 2021.{{cite web |title=WTA rankings: Maria Sakkari in the top ten for the first time |url=https://www.tennisnet.com/en/news/wta-rankings-maria-sakkari-in-the-top-ten-for-the-first-time |website=tennisnet |date=27 September 2021 |access-date=12 October 2022}}

She qualified for the 2021 WTA Finals becoming the first Greek woman to participate in the year-end tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2300161/maria-sakkari-earns-historic-qualification-for-2021-akron-wta-finals-guadalajara|title=Maria Sakkari earns historic qualification for 2021 Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-11-16|archive-date=2021-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121074610/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2300161/maria-sakkari-earns-historic-qualification-for-2021-akron-wta-finals-guadalajara|url-status=live}} She reached the semifinals defeating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2354703/sakkari-advances-to-wta-finals-semis-after-edging-out-sabalenka-in-three-sets|title=Sakkari advances to WTA Finals semis after edging out Sabalenka in three sets|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=2021-11-16|archive-date=2021-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116201955/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2354703/sakkari-advances-to-wta-finals-semis-after-edging-out-sabalenka-in-three-sets|url-status=live}}

Sakkari reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, where she lost to Jessica Pegula.{{cite web |title=America's Jessica Pegula Stuns Maria Sakkari At The Australian Open |url=https://www.ubitennis.net/2022/01/americas-jessica-pegula-stuns-maria-sakkari-at-the-australian-open/ |website=ubitennis |date=23 January 2022 |access-date=12 October 2022}}

Sakkari entered the St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy as the top seed. She defeated Anastasia Potapova, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Elise Mertens to reach the semifinals. Then she defeated Irina-Camelia Begu to reach her fourth career final, where she lost to Anett Kontaveit in three sets.{{cite web |title=Kontaveit outduels Sakkari to reach WTA Finals championship |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2355512/kontaveit-outduels-sakkari-to-reach-wta-finals-championship |website=wtatennis |access-date=12 October 2022}} At the Doha Open, she defeated Ann Li, Jessica Pegula and Cori Gauff, all in straight sets. In the semifinals, Sakkari lost to eventual champion Iga Świątek.{{cite web |title=Swiatek gets first win over Sakkari in four tries, makes Doha final |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2504573/swiatek-gets-first-win-over-sakkari-in-four-tries-makes-doha-final |website=wtatennis.com |access-date=11 October 2022}}

Sakkari entered the Indian Wells Open as the sixth seed. She defeated Kateřina Siniaková, Petra Kvitová, qualifier Daria Saville and Elena Rybakina to reached her first Indian Wells semifinals.{{cite web |title=Sakkari takes down Rybakina to seal Indian Wells semifinal spot |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2539265/sakkari-takes-down-rybakina-to-seal-indian-wells-semifinal-spot |website=wtatennis |access-date=12 October 2022}} Then she beat defending champion Paula Badosa to reach her first WTA 1000 final of her career. But she lost to Iga Świątek in straight sets.{{cite web |title=Σβιόντεκ - Σάκκαρη 2-0: Λύγισε στον τελικό του Indian Wells η αγχωμένη Μαρία|url=https://www.sport24.gr/tennis/sviontek-sakkari-2-0-lygise-ston-teliko-toy-indian-wells-i-agchomeni-maria.9568415.html |website=sport24.gr |access-date=11 October 2022}} With this result, she reached her career-high ranking No. 3. She became the first Greek female player who reached the top 5.{{cite web |title=ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΣΑΚΚΑΡΗ: Στον τελικό του Indian Wells και στο Top 3! (vids) |url=https://tennisnews.gr/tennis-world/wta-tennis/item/50927-sakkari |website=tennisnews.gr |date=19 March 2022 |access-date=11 October 2022}}

In Miami, Sakkari lost in the second round against Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, in three sets. At the French Open, she lost in the second round to Karolína Muchová in straight sets.{{Cite web |title=Muchova tops Sakkari in French Open second round |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2634623/muchova-tops-sakkari-in-french-open-second-round |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}} At Wimbledon, she lost in the third round to Tatjana Maria in straight sets. Sakkari hit 28 winners, but had 29 unforced errors in the match compared to twelve for Maria.{{Cite web |title=Maria upsets Sakkari; Mertens ousts Kerber in Wimbledon third round |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2664438/maria-upsets-sakkari-at-wimbledon-to-reach-round-of-16 |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}} At the Cincinnati Open, Sakkari lost in the second round to Caroline Garcia in a tough three-set match lasting more than two hours.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati: Garcia upsets Sakkari in R2 for 2nd Top 3 win of 2022 |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/videos/2747206/cincinnati-garcia-upsets-sakkari-in-r2-for-2nd-top-3-win-of-2022 |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}}

She reached her sixth WTA career final at the Emilia-Romagna Open where she was defeated by Mayar Sherif, in straight sets.{{cite web | url= https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2834966/sherif-wins-parma-to-become-first-egyptian-wta-champion | title= Sherif wins Parma to become first Egyptian WTA champion}} However, this result was followed by opening-round losses in Ostrava and San Diego to Alycia Parks and Donna Vekić, respectively.{{cite web |title=Parks upsets Sakkari to continue breakthrough in Ostrava |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2841023/parks-upsets-sakkari-to-continue-breakthrough-in-ostrava |website=wtatennis |access-date=12 October 2022}}{{cite web |title=Vekic takes down Sakkari in San Diego; Pliskova, Stephens advance |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2848957/vekic-takes-down-sakkari-in-san-diego-pliskova-stephens-advance |website=wtatennis |access-date=12 October 2022}}

Sakkari made it to the finals of the Guadalajara Open defeating Marta Kostyuk, Danielle Collins, Veronika Kudermetova and Marie Bouzková en route.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2860075/sakkari-kasatkina-garcia-win-to-stay-in-the-wta-finals-hunt-in-guadalajara|title=Sakkari, Kasatkina, Garcia win to stay in the WTA Finals hunt}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2871925/sakkari-wins-rain-delayed-semifinal-in-guadalajara|title=Sakkari wins rain delayed semifinal in Guadalajara}} The win against Kudermetova qualified her for the WTA Finals for a second consecutive year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2866528/sakkari-secures-eighth-and-final-spot-for-this-year-s-wta-finals|title=Sakkari secures eighth and final spot for this year's WTA Finals}} In the final, she was defeated by Jessica Pegula, in straight sets.

Maria quickly got revenge for her loss in Guadalajara final by edging out a straight-sets win over Pegula in the opening match of the WTA Finals.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/sakkari-begins-wta-finals-with-win-over-pegula-2022-11-01/ |title=Sabalenka, Sakkari win opening matches at WTA Finals|website=Reuters |date=November 2022 }} She breezed past Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur in straight sets to finish 3-0 in the round robin stage, as she surged into the semifinals of the WTA Finals for a second straight year.{{cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2888624/three-takeaways-sakkari-charges-into-semifinals-in-fort-worth|title=Three takeaways: Sakkari charges into semifinals in Fort Worth}} However, Sakkari lost her semifinal match to Caroline Garcia in straight sets.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/caroline-garcia-storms-into-wta-finals-championship-match-maria-sakkari |title=Caroline Garcia storms into WTA Finals championship match with Maria Sakkari domination}}

She started the year with games at the 2023 United Cup where she and the Greece team reached the semifinal, where they were eliminated by the Italian team.{{Cite web |title=Trevisan upsets Sakkari in three-hour United Cup semifinal; Italy up 2-0 |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3011933/inspired-trevisan-upsets-sakkari-in-three-hour-united-cup-semifinal |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}} Sakkari reached the third round of the Australian Open and was knocked out by world No. 87, Zhu Lin.{{Cite web |title=Zhu upsets No.6 Sakkari to reach fourth round of Australian Open |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3029830/zhu-upsets-no-6-sakkari-to-reach-fourth-round-of-australian-open |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}}

In Linz as the top seed, she advanced to the semifinals by beating Nuria Párrizas Díaz, Varvara Gracheva and Donna Vekić but lost to Petra Martić.

Maria Sakkari continued her season in Doha at the Qatar Ladies Open where she was the fifth seed. She defeated Zheng Qinwen in the first round and Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round to reached the quarterfinals. She reached the semifinals defeating world No. 5 and third seed, Caroline Garcia, in the quarterfinals in a gruelling battle. She lost to second seed Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. She reached also the semifinals at Indian Wells but lost to second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

At Wimbledon, Sakkari was knocked out by Marta Kostyuk in the first round.{{cite news |title=Share via Facebook Share via Twitter Share via WhatsApp Share via copyURL copied 2023 Wimbledon July 5, 2023 Kostyuk knocks out Sakkari; rain continues to impact schedule at Wimbledon |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3570870/kostyuk-knocks-out-sakkari-rain-continues-to-impact-schedule-at-wimbledon |access-date=21 September 2023 |agency=wtatennis}}

In August, Sakkari reached the final in Washington defeating the top seed Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.{{cite web| title=Sakkari takes down top seed Pegula in Washington semifinals | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3617520/sakkari-takes-down-top-seed-pegula-in-washington-semifinals | work=WTA Tennis | date = 5 August 2023 | accessdate = 7 August 2023}} In the final, she lost to Coco Gauff in straight sets.

{{cite web| title=Gauff defeats Sakkari to win Washington D.C. title | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3619064/gauff-defeats-sakkari-to-win-washington-d-c-title | work=WTA Tennis | date = 6 August 2023 | accessdate = 7 August 2023}}

At the US Open, she was defeated by No. 71 Rebeka Masarova in the first round. After that unexpected and heavy loss, Sakkari stated that "she may take a break from tennis.{{cite web| title=Sakkari may take a 'break' from tennis after early exit at US Open | url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/sakkari-may-take-break-tennis-after-early-exit-us-open-2023-08-29/ | work=reuters | date = 29 August 2023 | accessdate = 21 September 2023}}{{cite web | url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/us-open/2023/my-level-was-poor-tearful-maria-sakkari-considers-break-after-shock-first-round-loss-at-us-open_sto9768017/story.shtml | title='My level was poor' - Tearful Maria Sakkari considers 'break' after shock first-round loss at US Open | date=28 August 2023 }}

Seeded second at the Guadalajara Open, she reached her third WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season defeating Camila Giorgi.{{cite web | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3692812/by-the-numbers-sakkari-sweeps-into-guadalajara-quarterfinals | title=By the numbers: Sakkari sweeps into Guadalajara quarterfinals }} Next, she defeated WTA 1000 debutante Emiliana Arango to reach the semifinals and again third seed Caroline Garcia to reach a consecutive final at this event.{{cite web | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3694722/no-2-seed-sakkari-storms-into-second-straight-guadalajara-final | title=Sakkari ousts Garcia to reach second straight Guadalajara final }} Sakkari defeated Caroline Dolehide in the final to win her second career title, four and a half years after her first, and snap a six-match losing streak in tour-level finals. This marked her first WTA 1000 title, the first ever for a Greek female tennis player.{{cite web | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3697421/sakkari-prevails-in-guadalajara-wins-second-career-title | title=Sakkari prevails in Guadalajara, wins second career title }}

At the beginning of the year, Sakkari participated with Team Greece in the United Cup. There, in her singles matches, she won her three matches: against Angelique Kerber of Team Germany, Leylah Fernandez of Team Canada and Daniela Seguel of Team Chile, all matches in straight sets. Next, at the Australian Open, Sakkari got past Nao Hibino in the first round in straight sets.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com.br/video/clipe/_/id/13095898 |title=Sakkari estreia bem, bate Hibino e estreia com vitória no Australian Open |trans-title=Sakkari starts well, beats Hibino and debuts with victory at the Australian Open |language=pt |publisher=espn.com.br |author= |date=2024-01-14 |access-date=2024-02-08}} In the second round, the eighth seed was stunned by Elina Avanesyan, losing the match in straight sets.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennismajors.com/australian-open-news/australian-open-excellent-avanesyan-upsets-sakkari-to-reach-third-round-738013.html |title=Australian Open: Excellent Avanesyan upsets Sakkari to reach third round |language=en |publisher=tennismajors.com |author= |date=2024-01-17 |access-date=2024-02-08}}

Continuing her campaign on hardcourts, now in the Middle East, Sakkari participated in the Abu Dhabi Open, where as the third seed she lost to Sorana Cîrstea in the first round in straight sets.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennismajors.com/wta-tour-news/cirstea-stuns-top-seed-sakkari-to-reach-quarter-finals-in-abu-dhabi-742100.html |title=Cirstea stuns top seed Sakkari to reach quarter-finals in Abu Dhabi |language=en |publisher=tennismajors.com |author= |date=2024-02-07 |access-date=2024-02-08}} She reached her second final at the WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open, and fourth in her career overall at this level, under the tutelage of her new coach David Witt.{{cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3932693/coaching-change-sparks-sakkari-s-run-to-indian-wells-quarterfinals|title= Coaching change sparks Sakkari's run to Indian Wells quarterfinals }}{{cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/can-david-witt-put-maria-sakkari-s-famous-intensity-to-better-use|title= Can David Witt put Maria Sakkari's famous intensity to better use?}}

At the Miami Open, she was stopped in the quarterfinals by Elena Rybakina.{{cite news |title=Rybakina survives Sakkari battle to reach Miami Open semis |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/rybakina-survives-sakkari-battle-reach-miami-open-semis-2024-03-27/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Reuters |date=27 March 2024}}

At the French Open, Sakkari lost in the first round to Varvara Gracheva.{{cite web |title=France's Gracheva upsets Sakkari; Haddad Maia loses Roland Garros opener |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4029036/france-s-gracheva-upsets-sakkari-haddad-maia-loses-roland-garros-opener |website=wtatennis}} At the Paris Olympics she was eliminated in the round of 16 by Marta Kostyuk.{{cite web |title=Ukrainian tennis player reaches quarterfinals of Olympic tennis tournament |url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukrainian-tennis-player-reaches-quarterfinals-1722364969.html |website=newsukraine.rbc.ua}} Sakkari retired due to injury after losing the first set of her opening round match against Wang Yafan at the US Open.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennismajors.com/us-open-news/us-open-wang-books-spot-in-second-round-2-781316.html|title=US Open: Injured Sakkari out, Wang books spot in second round|date=26 August 2024 |publisher=Tennis Majors|accessdate=28 August 2024}} She then put an end to her season to recover from the shoulder injury, having her ranking plummeted to world no.31, hitting this low ranking for the first time in five years.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Seeded third at the Linz Open, Sakkari received a bye in the first round and then defeated Viktoriya Tomova to reach the quarterfinals,{{cite web|url=https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/01/30/maria-sakkari-dominates-tomova-to-reach-wta-linz-quarter-finals/amp/|title=Maria Sakkari Dominates Tomova to Reach WTA Linz Quarter-Finals|publisher=Greek City Times|accessdate=1 February 2025}} where she lost to fifth seed Dayana Yastremska.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/On_the_WTA_results_with/152149/linz-no-3-seed-maria-sakkari-suffers-major-collapse-in-qf-loss-to-dayana-yastremska/|title=Linz: No. 3 seed Maria Sakkari suffers major collapse in QF loss to Dayana Yastremska|publisher=Tennis World USA|accessdate=1 February 2025}}

Sakkari made her debut for the Greece Fed Cup team in 2012, and has a Fed Cup win–loss record of 12–18 to date.{{Cite web|last=admin|title=Maria Sakkari at Fed Cup|url=https://www.billiejeankingcup.com/en/players/player.aspx?id=800311975|access-date=October 26, 2020|website=Fed Cup|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001201524/https://www.billiejeankingcup.com/en/players/player.aspx?id=800311975|url-status=live}}

Sakkari is the first ambassador of the charity association DESMOS, which since 2012 uplifts vulnerable social groups, through many actions and programs, which are shared in collaboration with more than 800 organizations. She has been part of DESMOS since 2019.

"I am a big believer in the value of giving and civic engagement, because they have the power to create waves of positive change for all of us. For this reason, with great joy, I accepted the proposal of Desmos to offer in my own way, as the first Ambassador", she stated.{{cite web |url=https://tennisnews.gr/ellada/tennis-entos/item/42965-sakkari-desmos|title=Maria Sakkari is the first ambassador of Desmos|date=27 November 2019 }}

On 10 August 2022, Sakkari has been announced as the part of line up for "Tennis Plays for Peace" exhibition, which took place on August 24 with other numerous current and former tennis stars like Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, John McEnroe, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini, Iga Świątek and many others, 100% of the proceeds going to GlobalGiving, the international non-profit identified by Tennis Plays for Peace.{{cite web | url=https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2022-08-10/rafael_nadal_iga_swiatek_coco_gauff_carlos_alcaraz_among_stars_to_play_2022_us_open_exhibition_in_support_of_ukraine.html | title=Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz among stars to play 2022 US Open exhibition in support of Ukraine | date=10 August 2022 | access-date=17 August 2022 | archive-date=17 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817131153/https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2022-08-10/rafael_nadal_iga_swiatek_coco_gauff_carlos_alcaraz_among_stars_to_play_2022_us_open_exhibition_in_support_of_ukraine.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url= https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2022-08-24/photos_tennis_plays_for_peace_exhibition_at_the_2022_us_open_supports_ukraine.html | title= Photos: Tennis Plays for Peace exhibition at the 2022 US Open supports Ukraine | access-date= 27 August 2022 | archive-date= 27 August 2022 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220827185301/https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2022-08-24/photos_tennis_plays_for_peace_exhibition_at_the_2022_us_open_supports_ukraine.html | url-status= live }}

{{Main|Maria Sakkari career statistics}}

{{Performance key}}

{{notelist |group=note |refs=

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{{reflist}}

• {{WTA}}
• {{ITF}}
• {{Billie Jean King Cup player|new_id=b23e0621-06d5-4cab-a33c-bb38402b3bc0|id=800311975}}
• {{Olympics.com}}

{{PSAT Greek Female Athlete of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sakkari, Maria}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Greek female tennis players

Category:Tennis players from Athens

Category:Olympic tennis players for Greece

Category:Tennis players at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Tennis players at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:21st-century Greek sportswomen