Rebeka Masarova, ranked No. 71 in the world, pulled off a major upset at the 2023 US Open by defeating No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari in straight sets. This victory marks Masarova's first win against a top-ten player and is the first major upset of the tournament. Masarova showed her resilience and composure throughout the match, breaking Sakkari's serve twice in each set to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Sakkari, who has reached the semifinals of two Grand Slam events in the past, expressed her disappointment and uncertainty after the match. She acknowledged that her level of play has been poor and that she needs to make changes to improve. Sakkari even contemplated taking a break from the sport to reassess her game and regain her confidence.

While the upset is a blow to Sakkari's US Open campaign, Masarova is now set to face tougher opponents in the next rounds. However, her confidence must be soaring after defeating the highest-ranked player she will encounter in her quarter of the draw. Masarova's potential matchup against No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals presents a challenging test, but for now, she will focus on her upcoming match against No. 10 seed Karolina Muchova in the second round.

As the 2023 US Open continues, fans will be keeping a close eye on Masarova's performance, eager to see if she can continue her impressive run at the tournament.