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Naomi Osaka vs Maria Sakkari Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka to start new year with a win
In an exciting kickoff to the 2026 tennis season, Naomi Osaka will face Maria Sakkari in a highly anticipated match at the United Cup in Perth. With both players looking to build momentum, Osaka is the slight favorite due to her strong finish last year and her impressive record of wins in the Australian summer. Despite Sakkari's drop in rankings, her performance history at the United Cup suggests she can challenge Osaka. The game is expected to go over 21.5 games, with Osaka predicted to win in three sets.
- Naomi Osaka vs Maria Sakkari predictions for Friday's United Cup match in Perth
- First meeting between the pair in five years - close clash tipped to launch 2026
- Osaka's strong finish to last season gives her the edge
- The match is scheduled to start at 8.00pm AEDT on Friday January 2
Expired
Naomi Osaka (Photo by Getty Images)
Naomi Osaka vs Maria Sakkari Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
The first marquee match of 2026 pits four-time major champion Naomi Osaka against former top 10 star Maria Sakkari at the United Cup in Perth on Friday night.
After a promising end to last season, Osaka will be hoping to keep her momentum going heading into the Aussie summer - a stage of the year she's enjoyed immense success in the past, winning two Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021. Meanwhile, Sakkari is desperate to return to her former heights after a couple of years languishing down the rankings. In fact, at one stage last year, the Greek was in huge danger of dropping out of the top 100 before settling at No. 52.
Obviously not much form to go by in the pair's first match of the season, but Osaka has the higher ceiling and was playing much better tennis to end last year. Sakkari has the ability and a solid 6-3 United Cup singles record at her disposal, so she can certainly keep this match competitive. It's also worth nothing that both of Osaka's wins in this H2H went the distance. Backing Over 21.5 total games with Osaka prevailing in three looks the play in Perth.
Osaka vs Sakkari Stats & Trends
- Over 21.5 games has landed in four of the five previous meetings between the pair
- Osaka's two wins in this matchup both went three sets
- Sakkari went 2-11 vs top 20 players in 2025
- Osaka ended 2025 by winning 14 of her last 17 matches
Osaka vs Sakkari Head To Head
Sakkari leads 3-2, but the pair haven't played since 2021, where the Greek ended Osaka's then 23-match winning streak.
| Tournament | Round | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Open (2021) | Quarter-final | Maria Sakkari | 6-0, 6-4 |
| Brisbane International (2020) | Round 1 | Naomi Osaka | 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3 |
| Birmingham Classic (2019) | Round 1 | Naomi Osaka | 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 |
| Cincinnati Masters (2018) | Round 1 | Maria Sakkari | 6-3, 7-6(8) |
| Indian Wells Masters (2018) | Round 3 | Naomi Osaka | 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 |
Naomi Osaka Form Analysis
- 2025 Record: 35-15 (all levels)
- United Cup Record: 0-0
It's been a gradual process, but Osaka is slowly climbing back towards the top of the rankings after returning from maternity leave in 2023.
The former World No. 1 is yet to really play a full season due to niggling injuries, but Osaka found her groove during the North American hardcourt summer last year, which has provided her with an encouraging springboard heading into 2026.
Osaka advanced to the Canada Open final (losing to teen star Victoria Mboko) before putting together a run to the US Open semi-finals, where she beat three top 15 seeds in Daria Kasatkina, Karolina Muchova and Coco Gauff.
Kicking off her Aussie summer at the United Cup for the first time, Osaka is certainly a player to keep an eye on heading into the first major of the year.
Maria Sakkari Form Analysis
- 2025 Record: 25-29 (all levels)
- United Cup Record: 6-3 (singles)
It's been a difficult couple of years for Sakkari, who has gone from a top 10 mainstay to battling to stay afloat outside the top 50.
Sakkari had a negative win-loss record in 2025 and at one stage was in real danger of crashing out of the top 100 altogether, which would have meant qualifying for Grand Slams.
A R16 showing in Madrid and third round finish at the US Open, along with making the quarter-finals of Washington, helped Sakkari end the year at No. 52 in the world, but the Greek remains well below her best.
Sakkari loves representing Greece and she has a great record of winning six of her nine previous United Cup singles matches, so this is an ideal opportunity to regain some form and confidence.
Naomi Osaka vs Maria Sakkari Live Stream
Watch and bet on Naomi Osaka vs Maria Sakkari live United Cup tennis from Perth.
You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > United Cup with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.
Verdict
These two have played some tight matches in the past and the first match of the season is always tricky - backing Over 21.5 games, with Osaka edging it.
Over 21.5
Total Games
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Osaka 2-1
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