I knew Rafael Nadal would win US Open, says Sakkari

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

In an interview to Greek reporters as quoted by SDNA, Maria Sakkari was asked if she saw US Open finals. She replied: "I did not see anything. I do not want to see anything. I did not want to lose sleep, I wanted to rest as more as possible.

I enjoyed a lot with Rafael Nadal and from the first match I had said that he would win the title! As for women, I thought Serena would beat Andreescu. I did not expect the Canadian to go that far." Maria did not have the chance to see the Davis Cup team playing in Greece but she is optimistic about their chances: "I think they will go through the groups stage as first.

Against Poland it's the toughest tie but they will play well and they will be doing okay." Sakkari feels confident ahead of the Asian swing: "I feel so well now that I am training with the Greek George (Panayiotopoulos) these days.

I feel very strong and fast, explosive. I feel really well with my shots, even if I only trained for three days. I do not put too much pressure on myself. My goal is to reach the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai. Anyways, I still have many years ahead of me." Sakkari reached the US Open third round losing to the Australian Ashleigh Barty after defeating Peng Shuai and Camila Giorgi.

Sakkari also played doubles with the Australian Alja Tomljanovic losing to the German duo made up of Laura Siegemund and Anna Lena Friedsam in the second round.