Maria Sakkari is going through a rough patch. The former world number 3 was swept aside in the first round at Strasbourg by American Peyton Stearns, losing 6-3, 6-1 in just 76 minutes.

The Greek never found her rhythm on the Alsatian clay. Outplayed from the baseline and erratic on serve, Sakkari watched Stearns deliver a solid and consistent performance. After a difficult first set, the second turned into a nightmare: five consecutive games for the American, who sealed the match with a love hold.

This loss fits a worrying pattern. Sakkari has managed just one win on clay in 2026, suffering early exits against Elena Rybakina, Karolina Pliskova and Paula Badosa in recent weeks. Confidence appears to have deserted the Athenian player, once formidable on this surface.

With Roland-Garros just one week away, the picture looks bleak. Sakkari, a 2022 semi-finalist in Paris, heads to the French Open with zero momentum. Her powerful game, which built her reputation, has struggled to find expression on clay this season.

Peyton Stearns, meanwhile, continues her steady rise. The 23-year-old American will face the winner of the Emma Raducanu vs Diane Parry match in the next round, a promising clay-court encounter.