Maria Sakkari became the first player through to the third round of the 2026 Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open on Tuesday, overturning No. 8 seed Marta Kostyuk 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. The Greek, now ranked No. 35, is back in a city that marked one of the first major surges of her career.
The match
Sakkari recovered sharply after dropping the opening set against Kostyuk, winning eight of the final 12 games to seal the comeback. Her victory followed a straight-sets first-round defeat of Donna Vekic.
Kostyuk’s form this season meant Sakkari expected a demanding contest. She said she needed to bring a high level against the eighth seed and, after failing to convert break-point chances against Elina Svitolina in Beijing last week, wanted to be more decisive when the key moments arrived.
“The foundation of my game is there,” Sakkari said. “I just need to be braver in the big points.”
Wuhan has long held particular significance for Sakkari. As a World No. 80 qualifier nine years ago, she beat Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Vesnina and Alize Cornet before Carolina Garcia stopped her in the semifinals. That run carried her into the Top 50 for the first time.
She had not played singles at the tournament since 2018, although she returned for doubles last season. Looking back at her earlier breakthrough, Sakkari said she now has greater experience and maturity, while remembering the fearless approach of her younger self.
The Greek was in the mid-50s of the rankings at this point last year and has climbed to No. 35. She views the closing Asian swing as an opportunity to keep pushing through a demanding season, with the players who manage accumulated travel fatigue best able to build momentum for 2027.
The next round
Sakkari will play wild card Mia Pohankova on Thursday for a place in the quarterfinals. A win would send her into her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal since Doha in February, and her first quarterfinal at any level since Athens this summer.
