Emma Raducanu will have left Maria Sakkari feeling red-faced after her pre-match press conference comments backfired.

The two stars faced off at Wimbledon on Friday, with Raducanu sealing a 6-2 6-3 win in just over 90 minutes.

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But prior to the clash, Sakkari, 28, was feeling confident for the tie and sent a reminder to her opponent of just what she was up against.

Asked pre-match how she felt about playing a British player on their home turf, she said: “I think the opportunity is for both. She's also playing a top-10 player. Let's not forget that.”

Sakkari did make sure to praise how impressive the 21-year-old has been, too, pointing out how young she still is in her career.

“She's an unbelievable player,” she continued. “She's very talented. She's very promising. Even after winning a Grand Slam, she's still very young.

“Obviously, she's going to be the favourite because she'll be playing [at] home. If anything, that's normal. 

“But I'm excited. It's another challenge. That's why we play tennis. That's what we play for. It's going to be pretty exciting. I'm pumped.”

Responding to claims they clash would be a big occasion, she said: “It's a third-round match. I've never played on Centre, so it's going to be amazing. I've played in big courts. I played on Arthur Ashe. I played in Indian Wells, which is the second biggest court.

“Obviously, here it's different because of the Royal Box and everything and the people that come to watch you. 

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“I don't feel like it's something new for me. I've been a top-10 player for the last three years or even more, so I've played in big courts. It's not like I'm just coming into this and it's my first time.”

Now though, Raducanu has a 2-0 record against the Greek - who also reached the third round in SW19 in 2022.

The Brit beat Sakkari in the US Open semi-final before going on to seal her first ever Grand Slam at the competition in 2021.

This is the first time Raducanu has reached the second week of a major since being crowned women’s singles champion at Flushing Meadows.

She will next face Lulu Radovcic in the fourth round on Sunday.

Before that clash, she will compete in the mixed doubles with fellow Brit Andy Murray, who is playing in what is set to be his last Wimbledon, this Saturday.

The Scot was eliminated from the men’s doubles with his brother Jamie Murray on an emotional evening on Thursday, losing 7-6 (6), 6-4 to Rinky Hijikata and John Peers on centre-court.