Tennis

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Daria Kasatkina consoled her teary-eyed opponent Mirra Andreeva after a hard-fought WTA 500 Ningbo Open final. Despite Andreeva's emotional struggle after losing a commanding lead in the final set, Kasatkina rushed to her aid, offering words of encouragement and a comforting embrace.The moment highlighted the close friendship between the two Russian players, despite their 10-year age difference. Andreeva has consistently earned praise from Kasatkina for her on-court skills and candid personality.Kasatkina's victory marked her second WTA 500 title of the season, while Andreeva, the 2023 WTA Newcomer of the Year, fell to 1-1 in career finals.The match was a testament to Andreeva's resilience, as she fought back from a 0-3 deficit in the final set. Kasatkina acknowledged her opponent's determination, saying, "She's this kind of player who never gives up... It was a miracle, the third set."Andreeva's emotional response to the loss was understandable, given her close lead and the pressure of playing in her second career final. However, Kasatkina's support and encouragement helped her regain her composure and accept the defeat with grace.The post-match embrace between the two players served as a reminder of the camaraderie and respect that can exist even in the most competitive of sporting environments. It also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and the power of friendship in overcoming adversity.

Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina have advanced to the final of the WTA 500 Ningbo Open after their semifinal opponents retired due to injuries.Kasatkina, the No. 5 seed, was leading Paula Badosa 6-4 when the Spaniard retired due to dizziness. Badosa had previously withdrawn from the WTA 1000 in Wuhan due to illness.Andreeva, a 17-year-old qualifier, was leading Karolina Muchova 6-2, 1-0 when the Czech retired with a back injury. Muchova had missed the first six months of 2024 after wrist surgery.The withdrawals of Badosa and Muchova continue a trend of retirements at the Ningbo Open. Seven lucky losers have entered the field after the top three seeds, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen, and Emma Navarro, all withdrew without playing a match.Andreeva and Kasatkina will face off in the final on Sunday. It will be their first career meeting.Kasatkina has won five of her seven career WTA singles titles at the WTA 500 level, but she has lost six of her last seven finals. Her only victory in that span came on grass in Eastbourne in June.Andreeva, meanwhile, won her first tour-level crown at the WTA 250 level in Iasi, Romania in July.The Ningbo Open has been plagued by injuries and withdrawals, but Andreeva and Kasatkina have emerged as the finalists. They will both be looking to win their second tournament title of 2024 on Sunday.

Natalia Zabiiako, a former Olympic figure skater, recently shared a glimpse into her upcoming China Open vlog with partner Daria Kasatkina, a professional tennis player. The vlog features a unique collaboration with 2022 Olympic champion Sui Wenjing, who introduced Kasatkina and fellow tennis player Arina Rodionova to the world of pair skating.Zabiiako, who won a silver medal in the team figure skating event at the 2018 Winter Games, has been sharing her passion for skating with Kasatkina, who has embraced the sport with enthusiasm. In the vlog, Kasatkina attempts to learn the basics of pair skating under the guidance of Sui, showcasing her determination and willingness to step outside of her comfort zone.Despite her initial struggles, Kasatkina expressed her admiration for figure skating, stating that she enjoys watching it and appreciates its beauty. Zabiiako, in turn, has been supporting Kasatkina's tennis journey, providing coaching sessions and documenting their experiences on their YouTube series, "What The Vlog?"The vlog highlights the unique bond between Zabiiako and Kasatkina, who share a passion for sports and a willingness to support each other's endeavors. It also showcases the versatility of athletes who are able to excel in multiple disciplines, demonstrating the importance of embracing new challenges and pursuing one's passions.As Kasatkina continues her Asian swing in tennis, fans can anticipate the release of the China Open vlog, which promises to offer an entertaining and inspiring glimpse into the lives of two talented athletes who are navigating the worlds of tennis and figure skating.

Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia emerged victorious in the Korea Open final, claiming her fourth career title with a remarkable comeback against Russian top seed Daria Kasatkina. After losing the opening set in a mere 26 minutes, Haddad Maia displayed resilience and determination, turning the tide in the second set and ultimately securing a 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 triumph.Haddad Maia, ranked 17th in the world, faced an uphill battle after Kasatkina's dominant start. However, she gradually gained momentum, breaking back in the second set and taking the lead for the first time. The Brazilian's composure and unwavering focus proved crucial as she overcame a contentious call with the umpire and seized the second set.In the decisive third set, Haddad Maia maintained her advantage, breaking Kasatkina twice and closing out the match with a long return from her opponent. The victory marked Haddad Maia's first title since June 2022, a testament to her hard work and competitive spirit."I know that tennis changes everything very fast," Haddad Maia said. "I was competing better at the end of the second set and then my tennis appeared. I finished in the way that I wanted and I think I deserved this win."Kasatkina, ranked 13th, expressed disappointment after losing her fourth final of the year. "Losing in the final can feel worse than losing in the first round," she said. "It's tough, especially being up in the final, but she definitely raised the level after the first set."The Korea Open, upgraded to a WTA 500 tournament for the first time, witnessed a series of last-minute withdrawals, including world number one Iga Swiatek, US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula, and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Despite these setbacks, the tournament showcased the depth and talent of the women's tennis circuit.

Daria Kasatkina, the top seed at the Hana Bank Korea Open, is making the most of her first visit to South Korea, both on and off the court.Kasatkina, who received a first-round bye and a favorable draw due to the withdrawals of Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Elena Rybakina, had plenty of time to explore Seoul before her tournament debut on Thursday. She took advantage of the opportunity to visit an adventure park, a Korean convenience store, and a skincare shop."I had a lot of time before my first match to enjoy some indoor activities in Seoul," Kasatkina said after her 6-4, 6-2 victory over American Hailey Baptiste. "I'm having a good time here!"Kasatkina and her girlfriend, former Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako, also visited an ice rink.On the court, Kasatkina has been in impressive form, not dropping a set in her first two matches. She will face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinals, a player who is also enjoying her time in Seoul."Seoul is one of my favorite cities," Raducanu said. "I think these courts suit her [Kasatkina] because they bounce quite a bit. But for me, every time I get exposure to that top level of opponent, it's invaluable."The quarterfinal clash between Kasatkina and Raducanu promises to be a fascinating encounter. Kasatkina will be looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since Wimbledon, while Raducanu will be aiming to make the last four in Seoul for the second time in three years.

Daria Kasatkina's unique post-match celebration at the 2024 US Open has become an instant viral sensation. After defeating Jaqueline Cristian in the first round, the Russian star performed an impromptu dance on Court 7, much to the amusement of fans and commentators alike.Kasatkina's dance, which she described as "a crafted dance, part of an inside joke," was inspired by a song she created with her girlfriend, Natalia Zabiiako, and friend, Arina Rodionova. The celebration quickly gained traction on social media, with the US Open's Instagram page posting a video that has already garnered over 200,000 views."I was hoping that no one was going to notice," Kasatkina said in her post-match press conference. "But they noticed. And I think it's already got 200K views on US Open's Instagram page!"Kasatkina's dance has drawn comparisons to other iconic on-court celebrations, such as Andrea Petkovic's "Petko Dance" and Victoria Azarenka's dabbing. However, the Russian star insists that her moves are simply a reflection of her playful personality."It's the next level of bullshit," she said with a laugh. "It has nothing to do with choreography or anything. It's just whatever, a joke. It actually goes together with a crafted song I created. I'm not going to sing it now, definitely."Despite her initial reluctance, Kasatkina hinted that she may be willing to perform her dance again if she wins her next match. "Maybe if I'm going to win the next match, it'll become a part of the celebration," she said.Kasatkina's unique celebration has not only entertained fans but has also showcased her close bond with Zabiiako and Rodionova. The trio's shared sense of humor and camaraderie has made them one of the most popular groups on the WTA Tour.

Paula Badosa's resurgence at Wimbledon continued with a hard-fought 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Daria Kasatkina in the third round. The former world No. 2 is now into the fourth round at the All England Club for the third time in her career and looks poised to make a deep run.Badosa's victory over Kasatkina was a testament to her resilience and determination. After winning the first set in a tiebreaker, she dropped the second but rallied back to take the third and secure her place in the next round. Badosa's performance was particularly impressive considering she has been battling injuries in recent months.In the fourth round, Badosa will face Donna Vekic, a proven grass-court performer. However, Badosa's current form suggests that she is the favorite in this matchup. Badosa has been hitting the ball with power and precision, and her movement has been excellent.Vekic is a dangerous opponent, but Badosa has the tools to overcome her. Badosa is a more aggressive baseliner and has the ability to hit winners from both sides of the court. She is also a strong returner, which could give her an edge in this match.Overall, Badosa is playing at a high level and is a legitimate contender to reach the latter stages of Wimbledon. Her victory over Kasatkina was a statement of intent, and she will be confident of continuing her run against Vekic.

Daria Kasatkina, the No. 14 seed, made a resounding statement at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Thursday, crushing British wild card Yuriko Lily Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0 in just 50 minutes on Court 18. This dominant victory marks Kasatkina's first double bagel on the tour level since 2015.Kasatkina, fresh off her seventh career WTA title at the Rothesay International Eastbourne, extended her winning streak to seven matches. The Russian star was relentless against Miyazaki, who had previously thrilled the home crowd with her first-ever main-draw victory at Wimbledon.Kasatkina's serve was untouchable, as she lost only three points behind her first serve and faced no break points. She struck 10 clean winners while committing only seven unforced errors. In contrast, Miyazaki struggled with her consistency, committing a staggering 31 unforced errors.This victory marks Kasatkina's second consecutive appearance in the third round of Wimbledon. She reached the quarterfinals in 2018 and will now face former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in the next round.Beyond her tennis prowess, Kasatkina has gained popularity for her YouTube channel, *What The Vlog?*, which she co-hosts with her girlfriend and fellow Olympic athlete Natalia Zabiiako. The channel has amassed over 50,000 subscribers and nearly six million video views.While fans will have to wait for Kasatkina's Wimbledon episode to air, they can expect her to provide an entertaining and insightful behind-the-scenes look at her Independence Day victory.

Daria Kasatkina's title drought came to an end on Saturday as she defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 6-4 in the Eastbourne International final. The victory marked Kasatkina's seventh career WTA triumph and her first on grass courts.Kasatkina, the No. 6 seed, started the match strongly, breaking Fernandez's serve in the opening game. She maintained her lead throughout the first set, breaking Fernandez again in the eighth game to take it 6-3.The second set was more competitive, with Fernandez battling back from an 0-3 deficit to take a 4-3 lead. However, Kasatkina regained her composure and broke Fernandez twice at love to take the set 6-4 and clinch the title.The victory was a significant one for Kasatkina, who had lost her previous five championship matches. It also moved her up to No. 8 in the race to the WTA Finals.Fernandez, the No. 15 seed, was bidding to become the first Canadian woman to win the Eastbourne title since Eugenie Bouchard in 2014. She had defeated No. 7 seed Barbora Krejcikova and defending champion Madison Keys en route to the final.In the Wimbledon draw, Kasatkina will open her campaign against Zhang Shuai on Monday. Fernandez will face Lucia Bronzetti on Tuesday.