🎾 WTA Charleston: Sakkari vs Stakusic – Match Preview

🎾 WTA Charleston: Sakkari vs Stakusic – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🟨 Maria Sakkari

• 🩻 Trying to find rhythm: 6–11 in 2025, with no back-to-back wins since July 2024.
• 📉 Slipping form: Outside the Top 10 now, and desperately needing points to avoid a bigger fall.
• 🏛️ Charleston success: 7–3 lifetime record here, including a semifinal last year. Comfortable with the surface and conditions.
• ⚠️ Pressure on: Needs a deep run to defend ranking points and regain confidence.

🟥 Marina Stakusic

• 🌱 Promising talent: Ended 2024 strong with a 125k title and a few Top 100 wins.
• 🚀 Climbing the ranks: Closing in on the Top 100, currently ranked No. 126.
• 💤 Slow start to 2025: Just 2–5 this season and yet to win a WTA main draw match on clay.
• 🎟️ Wildcard threat: Comes in with nothing to lose and an opportunity to shake things up.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Sakkari’s game is built for clay—athleticism, stamina, and topspin-heavy patterns give her an edge on slower surfaces. However, her confidence has been fragile, and she’s been prone to tight losses and missed opportunities.

Stakusic is an intelligent shot-maker with solid fundamentals but lacks WTA-level clay experience. If she plays free and clean, she could pressure Sakkari, especially if the Greek is hesitant or off rhythm.

The key will be whether Sakkari can impose her physicality and play the match on her terms without overthinking in big moments.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Sakkari in 2 tight sets

This is a great opportunity for Sakkari to reset. If she stays composed, her clay credentials and experience should carry her through against a rising but raw opponent.