Daria Kasatkina won her first round match at the Adelaide International, her first home victory as an Australian.
The world number 48 beat Greek wildcard Maria Sakkari in straight sets 7-6 (7-2) 6-4, in a clash on Monday evening on Center Court.
Kasatkina switched allegiance from Russia to Australia in March 2025 due to discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community in his native country.
The 28-year-old took 70 minutes to win the first set and another 45 minutes to win the second against Sakkari, who was ranked third in the world as of March 2022 and is currently 52nd.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Kasatkina said after the match.
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“I was super nervous coming from Brisbane, losing a tough match there, and see the draw here.
“Honestly, I’m over the moon. It’s so special. You (the crowd) make it special. Thank you so much.
“Super special day for me and I really wanted to finally feel that feeling of winning a match in front of my home crowd and it’s quite addictive.”
Earlier, Ajla Tomljanovic advanced when the injured Danish Clara Tauson withdrew after a set.
Tomljanovic won the set in a tiebreak, 7-6 (7-5) and the Danish world number 14, who was playing with a vertical bandage on her left hamstring, subsequently sought medical attention before retiring.
The extent of his injury was not immediately known ahead of the Australian Open which begins on Sunday.
“It’s really unfortunate when someone has to retire. I know how it feels, it’s never easy,” said Tomljanovic, 32.
“But from my point of view, in that whole set, I was very closed off and I didn’t really see what was going on with her and what was bothering her.”
Kokkinakis injury flares
Elsewhere at the Adelaide International, Thanasi Kokkinakis beat American Sebastian Korda in a late-night match that finished 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Adelaide International. (PAA: Matt Turner)
Kokkinakis suffered a recurrence of his shoulder injury during the match and had to call a doctor.
It was the 29-year-old’s first singles match in almost a year.
Kokkinakis underwent surgery last February in an attempt to resolve a long-standing pectoral problem.
PAA
