Maria Sakkari unleashed a 6-0, 6-4 thrashing of Naomi Osaka on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals of the Miami Masters.
The last time four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka lost was 23 matches ago, in a Fed Cup tie against Spain in February, 2020, just as the COVID pandemic was taking hold.
The defeat of her rival still cannot assure that Ash Barty retains her No. 1 ranking; if the Australian does not make the final, Osaka takes back to WTA top spot on Monday.
Sakkari, ranked 25th, dominated and topped off her upset by coming from 0-3 down in the second set to complete the rout in 69 minutes.
She had staked her claim by breaking Osaka as the Japanese players led 40-0 in the opening game of the afternoon
Sakkari, who saved six match points in the previous round, finished with 22 winners against 23 unforced errors from Osaka, who managed a mere five winners.
She will play a third Masters 1000 semi after 2017 Wuhan and Rome two years ago.
Main photo:- Maria Sakkari on her way to victory over Naomi Sakkari – by WTATennis.com
