Qualifier Yulia Putintseva beats Maria Sakkari in Tokyo first round
The gist
Kazakh qualifier Yulia Putintseva, ranked No. 67, beat No. 30 Maria Sakkari 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in Tokyo.
She next faces world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, one win from year-end No. 1.
How it unfolded
- Oct 26, 2026Putintseva vs Sakkari is listed as a Round of 32 match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Ariake, Japan, on hard court, with Sakkari the favorite at -175 and Putintseva at +135.
- Oct 27, 2026Putintseva defeats Sakkari 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in the first round in Tokyo, recording two aces, no double faults and converting seven of 16 break points.
- Oct 28, 2026Rybakina, the top seed and world No. 1, is scheduled to play her opening match on Thursday against Putintseva.