Maria Sakkari Sets Sights on Beijing Glory: Everything to Know Before Her China Open Clash

Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari heads to Beijing this week looking to reignite her 2025 season when she opens against rising American Ashlyn Krueger in the first round of the China Open, a WTA-1000 event staged at the National Tennis Center. Once ranked No. 3 in the world, Sakkari has slipped to No. 55 after an inconsistent run that saw her tumble outside the top 50 for the first time since 2019. The Athens native has struggled to string together consecutive victories, but a third-round appearance at last month’s US Open hinted at a possible turnaround. Sakkari will be eager to bank ranking points in Beijing, where she previously reached the quarter-finals two years ago. The event’s hard courts should suit her heavy topspin forehand and explosive movement, weapons that once made her one of the most feared baseline competitors on tour. Just as crucial, the 30-year-old has no points to defend for the remainder of the season, giving her a clear pathway back toward the top 30 if she can produce a deep run in Asia. Her opponent, 21-year-old Krueger, enters the China Open ranked No. 45 after a rough summer stretch that included 14 losses in her last 23 matches. The American’s aggressive first-strike style and big forehand can do damage on quick courts, but she has yet to claim a marquee win at WTA-1000 level. Match keys • Serve performance: Sakkari’s average first-serve speed still tops 105 mph; a high first-serve percentage will help her dictate rallies early. • Return pressure: Krueger wins 39 % of first-serve return points this season; any dip from Sakkari on serve could open the door for the American. • Mental edge: Sakkari’s experience in high-stakes matches—including two Grand Slam semi-finals—could be decisive if the contest goes the distance. Betting markets currently list the encounter at even odds, underscoring how pivotal form and confidence will be on the day. Should Sakkari advance, she would likely face a seeded opponent in round two, offering an immediate chance to secure her first top-20 win since March. Beyond ranking implications, a strong week in Beijing could set the tone for the rest of Sakkari’s Asian swing, which includes stops in Tokyo and Seoul. For a player who openly stated her goal is “to be back where I belong in the ranking,” Wednesday’s clash marks the starting line of a crucial autumn campaign. First-round fixture Maria Sakkari (GRE) vs Ashlyn Krueger (USA) Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing Surface: Outdoor hard courts Prize money: $8.96 million (total tournament purse) Fans in the United States can catch the match live on Tennis Channel, while Sky Sports will broadcast in the United Kingdom and TSN in Canada. Whether Sakkari can harness her trademark intensity and halt her slide will be one of the early storylines to watch at the 2025 China Open.