WHAT HAPPENED: Round 1 of the US Open 2024 was cut short for No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari when she was forced to retire from her match against China’s Wang Yafan on Stadium 17.
Wang had raced through the first set, 6-2, before Sakkari retired. The Greek hadn't played since the Olympics due to a shoulder issue that forced her out of Cincinnati last week, and sat for a medical timeout shortly before retiring.
While Wang was the underdog coming into this match, she isn’t unfamiliar with playing Top 10 opponents in Round 1 of the US Open. In fact, this is the second year in a row she's into Round 2 at the expense of a Top 10 seed, following an upset in 2023 of then-No.7 seed Caroline Garcia.
WHAT IT MEANS: Sakkari’s retirement evened out the head-to-head score between her and Wang. Monday's abridged affair marked their fourth meeting, and their first in six years.
Wang will play Frenchwoman Diane Parry, who defeated Wang Xiyu in Monday's first-round action. Parry pulled out a win against Wang Yafan’s compatriot after two long sets that both ended in tiebreaks, 7-6(2), 7-6(5). This year marks the first time Parry has made it past Round 1 of the US Open.
MATCH POINT: Sakkari’s retirement eliminates the presence of Greek players in the women’s US Open tournament. Meanwhile, Wang entered as one of eight Chinese players in the starting field.
