Picture the bustling atmosphere of the 2023 US Open, where excitement fills the air like the warmth of summer. In the middle of all this, something quite different was about to happen. As people watched Maria Sakkari, a top player, take on Rebeka Masarova from Spain, who wasn’t ranked as high, everyone expected an easy match for the Greek star. But what nobody foresaw was that amidst all the intense moments on the court, a strange and puzzling thing would occur, making the situation even more interesting.
The match started with Sakkari showing off her smart moves. She aced the first part of the game with two quick wins, setting a strong tone. The audience got to see Sakkari do some tricky moves and play close to the net, while Masarova, who is tall and speedy, used her abilities to catch Sakkari’s strong shots.
Surprising twist amidst intense play between Maria Sakkari and Rebeka Masarova
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Amidst the thrilling back-and-forth, an unexpected twist emerged: a distinct smell filled the air. Maria Sakkari, the focal point of the match, surprisingly commented on this olfactory intrusion.
“It was cannabis,” she confirmed. “I was not affected by this smell in any way. It was just a comment, it has nothing to do with the match”, she further added.
Maria Sakkari says she smelled marijuana during her match against Masarova:
“It was cannabis. I was not affected by this smell in any way. It was just a comment, it has nothing to do with the match. I smelled it yesterday in practice too, but it's irrelevant. We can't control… pic.twitter.com/oPlOZZaujY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 28, 2023
This intriguing revelation adds an element of intrigue to an already gripping contest. Even though the situation was strange, both Sakkari and Masarova kept trying to win. Masarova said that her better gameplay, not the strange smell, was what made the game change direction. This shows how much they both wanted to win. Sakkari also shared that she had previously detected a similar scent during practice, suggesting that this was not an isolated occurrence.
Masarova’s promising trajectory at the US Open quarter
As the US Open progresses, the spotlight not only shines on the match between Maria Sakkari and Rebeka Masarova but also on the prospects that lie ahead for the underdog Masarova. While Sakkari’s journey in Grand Slams has seen its ups and downs, Masarova’s victory in Round 1 has set a promising tone for her quarter of the draw.
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Maria Sakkari’s track record in Grand Slam tournaments has been a mix of triumphs and early setbacks. Among her 31 appearances in the main draw, she’s encountered the tough reality of Round 1 losses on eight occasions.
After her straight set win, Masarova has already defeated the highest seeded player in her quarter, She might play against the fourth-seeded player, Elena Rybakina, in the next round. Before that, she could face Karolina Muchova, the tenth-seeded player, who won her first match easily.
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As the US Open progresses, the contrast in Sakkari and Masarova’s paths adds an additional layer of intrigue to the tournament. Sakkari looks to regroup and come back stronger in future Grand Slam appearances.
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