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Sakkari Beats Osaka at United Cup as Greece Clinches Perth Tie

Osaka says a Christmas viral illness left her short of full fitness heading into the Australian Open.

Overview

  • Maria Sakkari defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2 in Perth to give Greece an early lead in their United Cup tie.
  • Osaka said she has been "really sick" since around Christmas and was seen coughing during the match.
  • She believes she likely caught the illness from her daughter and described herself as at the tail end of recovery.
  • Osaka struggled with her serve early but said the miscues were due to nerves rather than the illness.
  • Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Shintaro Mochizuki 6-3, 6-4 to secure the tie for Greece, and Osaka stayed courtside to sign autographs.