Emma Raducanu will attempt to break new ground in the Washington quarter-finals on Friday as she takes on a familiar opponent in Maria Sakkari. The Brit has reached the last eight every time she’s played the Mubadala Citi DC Open, and is seeking her first semi-final in the US capital.
Sakkari, the Greek star who now resides in Washington, has been on a tear all week. But Raducanu already has an undefeated 3-0 record against Sakkari, including a big win at Wimbledon last year when the former world No. 3 suggested that Raducanu could have trouble beating her.
The British No. 3 defeated Sakkari en route to her historic 2021 US Open title, where she became the first qualifier to be crowned a Grand Slam champion. Ranked at No. 18 at the time, Sakkari lost to an 18-year-old Raducanu in the semi-final.
They met again at Wimbledon last year, when Sakkari was ranked inside the top 10. Raducanu’s draw had opened up, but the 30-year-old made a point that she also had a good chance of winning their third-round match.
“I think the opportunity is for both. She’s also playing a top-10 player. Let’s not forget that,” the two-time title winner said.
But Sakkari’s comments came back to haunt her, and Raducanu stunned the No. 9 seed 6-2 6-3 on Centre Court to reach the second week at Wimbledon.
The WTA 500 in Washington is something of a home tournament for Sakkari, who now lives in the American capital.
“I have never stayed home, home for a tournament. It feels great, you know,” she said after taking out world No. 11 Navarro.
“My goal was I really wanted to spend my birthday here, so now I’m actually going to spend my birthday on Friday here. Hopefully with a win.”
But Raducanu will be hoping to spoil Sakkari’s birthday party when they open play on the Stadium court on Friday.
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