**Raducanu Falls to Greece as GB Exits United Cup After Injury Return**
Key Takeaways:
- Emma Raducanu returned from injury but lost to Greece’s Maria Sakkari in three sets
- Great Britain was eliminated from the 2026 United Cup after group-stage loss
- Billy Harris also lost in a close match against Stefanos Tsitsipas
Sydney, Australia — The topic “greece” is trending after Greece eliminated Great Britain from the 2026 United Cup, with British star Emma Raducanu losing in her first match back from injury to Maria Sakkari in a high-stakes group-stage decider.
Raducanu’s Return Ends in Defeat, Ends British Hopes
Emma Raducanu, returning to competition after over two months sidelined with a right foot injury, lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to Maria Sakkari on Monday in Sydney. The 23-year-old British number one had missed the opening match against Naomi Osaka due to lingering pain and only resumed hitting two weeks prior.
Despite showing flashes of her aggressive baseline play and claiming the second set, Raducanu struggled physically in the decider. Her loss followed a narrow three-set defeat by Billy Harris to Stefanos Tsitsipas, effectively knocking Great Britain out of contention for a quarterfinal spot.
Injury and Inconsistency Continue to Hinder Raducanu
Raducanu, who rose to fame with a historic US Open win in 2021, has endured a series of injury setbacks since. The most recent, described as “light bone bruising,” forced her to pull out of a highly anticipated return against Osaka on January 1. Although her movement appeared largely unrestricted against Sakkari, her fitness and timing clearly lagged behind.
The loss added to broader concerns about Raducanu’s durability, despite a ranking rebound to world No. 29 following a more consistent 2025 season. Sakkari, ranked No. 51, had lost all previous four encounters against the Briton but dominated the deciding set this time.
What’s Next for Raducanu and Great Britain
Raducanu is scheduled to compete next at the WTA Hobart International before heading to Melbourne for the Australian Open, where she’s expected to be seeded for the first Grand Slam of the year. Great Britain’s United Cup campaign ends in the group stage, despite a strong mixed doubles win from Olivia Nicholls and Neal Skupski.
For Raducanu, the broader goal remains consistent fitness and match-building. “Being able to produce that, having not played, is just giving me confidence to what I can do,” she said post-match, emphasizing a need to stay healthy for the rest of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is greece trending?
A: Greece defeated Great Britain in the United Cup, eliminating them from the tournament in a match that featured Emma Raducanu’s injury return.
Q: What happens next?
A: Raducanu is set to play the WTA Hobart International next week before the 2026 Australian Open begins on January 18.
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