Tennis

Daria Kasatkina's candid reaction to facing Aryna Sabalenka in Berlin has sparked amusement among tennis fans. The Russian star, who recently triumphed over Marta Kostyuk at the ecotrans Ladies Open, was caught on camera expressing her dismay upon learning that her next opponent would be the reigning Australian Open champion."Oh my God, no," Kasatkina exclaimed, eliciting laughter from her friend and fellow player Daria Saville. The Aussie, who also received a challenging draw in Birmingham, shared the clip on social media with the caption "Classic."Despite her initial reaction, Kasatkina remained composed and praised the tournament's high level of competition. "This 500 is special," she said. "You can get a top player in the first round, so it's a very tough tournament. The list of players is incredible."Kasatkina's victory over Kostyuk was hard-fought, requiring two hours and 39 minutes to rally from a set down. The former world No. 8 attributed her comeback to her ability to adapt to the grass surface. "I felt that in the first set, but then I got used to it a little bit more," she explained.Sabalenka, who will also be making her grass-court debut in Berlin, will pose a formidable challenge for Kasatkina. The Belarusian has won their last three encounters and holds a 2-6 advantage in their overall head-to-head record.The match between Kasatkina and Sabalenka is set to be a captivating clash between two of the WTA's top players. Kasatkina's resilience and Sabalenka's power will make for an intriguing battle on the Berlin grass.

Daria Kasatkina and her doubles partner Natalia Zabiiako have shared their experiences at the Roland Garros Grand Slam in their latest "What the Vlog" episode. Kasatkina, a self-proclaimed Pokémon enthusiast, received a special birthday surprise from her compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Pavlyuchenkova had spotted a limited-edition necklace from the Tiffany & Arsham Studio & Pokémon collaboration and alerted Kasatkina, who was thrilled to receive the pendant featuring the character Cubone. The necklace was flown in from Denmark, as the collection had only been released in New York and Tokyo at the time.In a playful gesture, Pavlyuchenkova presented the necklace to Kasatkina on one knee, complete with the iconic Tiffany blue case. Kasatkina was joined by Mirra Andreeva in the episode, and the trio engaged in friendly games of Uno and Rock, Paper, Scissors.Andreeva's attempt to start the game with scissors was quickly countered by Zabiiako's rock, forcing Andreeva to shuffle the deck. The episode offers a glimpse into Kasatkina's perspective on the Roland Garros tournament, showcasing her love for Pokémon and her playful interactions with her fellow players.

Peyton Stearns Stuns Daria Kasatkina in Late-Night Roland Garros ThrillerIn a captivating night of tennis at Roland Garros, unseeded American Peyton Stearns pulled off a stunning upset, eliminating No. 10 seed Daria Kasatkina in a match that stretched well past midnight.Despite the long wait to get on court due to rain delays, Stearns remained unfazed. The 22-year-old from Cincinnati, who won an NCAA singles title at the University of Texas, unleashed 17 forehand winners to defeat Kasatkina 7-5, 6-2."You just kind of don't know what to expect," said Stearns about the unpredictable schedule. "You have to accept that."Kasatkina, a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist, struggled to cope with the situation. "Mentally, it's tough to face the day when it's a long wait," she said. "You have to be calm, but at the same time, you have to be ready to jump on the court. And you don't know when."Stearns' victory was not the only upset of the day. No. 9 Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 champion in Paris, lost to Denmark's Clara Tauson, while No. 11 Danielle Collins was defeated by Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic.On the men's side, No. 25 Frances Tiafoe and No. 31 Mariano Navone were eliminated. Tiafoe's frosty handshake with Denis Shapovalov after their match drew attention, as Tiafoe had accidentally hit Shapovalov in the head with a tennis ball.Despite the weather disruptions, several top players advanced, including No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 4 Alexander Zverev, No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz, and two-time runner-up Casper Ruud.Stearns' victory was particularly impressive given her recent success. She claimed her first career WTA title last week in Rabat, Morocco, and is now working with Tom Hill, who previously coached Maria Sakkari."I was like, 'Look, just stay. Please," Stearns said about her mother, who had planned to leave after the first round. "We've got to keep this going."With her mother now assisting with her warmups and cool downs, Stearns is determined to continue her impressive run at Roland Garros.

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has made a strong start to her clay-court season, reaching the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Osaka, who has struggled on clay in the past, has credited a change in mindset and a focus on watching top players like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for her improved performance.After a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina, Osaka admitted that she still needs more experience on clay to earn the nickname "Clayomi." However, she is confident that she is making progress and is grateful to be back on the court after giving birth to her daughter in 2023.Osaka's win over Kasatkina, a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist, was her second Top 20 victory on clay this season. She had previously defeated Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finalist Marta Kostyuk. Osaka's success in Rome is a testament to her hard work and determination to improve on her least favorite surface.In the past, Osaka has struggled to adjust to the slower pace and higher bounce of clay courts. However, she has spent a significant amount of time practicing and studying the game on clay. She has also been watching videos of top players like Nadal and Alcaraz to learn how to play the surface more effectively.Osaka's next opponent in Rome is Zheng Qinwen, who reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open. Zheng is a big hitter with a powerful forehand and backhand. Osaka will need to be at her best to defeat Zheng and reach her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season.

Naomi Osaka's transformation on clay has been remarkable. Once a surface that caused her immense stress, it now seems to bring her a sense of peace. This newfound serenity has translated into impressive performances, including a straight-sets victory over Marta Kostyuk at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.Osaka's mental shift is evident in her relaxed demeanor on and off the court. She attributes this to the unconditional love of her daughter, Shai. "No matter what happens on the court, nothing will change for me off the court," she said. "My daughter will still love me."This positive mindset has also been fueled by a training bloc in Mallorca, where Osaka observed the likes of Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Andrey Rublev. Inspired by their aggressive play, she has resolved to swing fully and avoid regrets.While Osaka acknowledges the challenges of clay, she is determined to adapt her game. She plans to incorporate more spin and rotation into her shots, believing it will make her shots heavier and more effective.Her next opponent, Daria Kasatkina, presents a different challenge. The Russian is a clay-court specialist with a wide array of spins and slices. Osaka is aware of the threat Kasatkina poses, but she remains humble and eager to learn.Despite the lingering stress, Osaka's newfound peace and determination suggest that she is capable of making a deep run at the Foro Italico. Her powerful shots and positive mindset could prove to be a formidable combination on the slow surface.

Yulia Putintseva, the rising star of women's tennis, has emerged as a captivating personality both on and off the court. Known for her dry wit and candid opinions, Putintseva has become a fan favorite through her appearances on Daria Kasatkina's YouTube series, "What The Vlog?"Putintseva believes that Kasatkina's vlog provides a unique glimpse into the lives of tennis players, showcasing the challenges and sacrifices they face beyond the spotlight. She criticizes the Netflix series "Break Point" for its lack of authenticity and over-dramatization."They didn't even invite me; how could it be good?" Putintseva quipped. "I watched one episode with Kyrgios, and the rest was so bad, so dramatic."Putintseva also expresses reservations about the romantic drama "Challengers," starring Zendaya. She questions the casting choice, stating that Zendaya's appearance does not align with the physicality of a professional tennis player.Despite her skepticism towards certain tennis-themed media, Putintseva holds a fondness for the 2004 romcom "Wimbledon." She appreciates its portrayal of the sport and its setting in the historic All England Club.Putintseva's recent resurgence on the WTA Tour has propelled her into the spotlight. She has reached consecutive quarterfinals at the Miami Open and Mutua Madrid Open, cutting her ranking in half in just three months. This success has earned her a seeding at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, the tournament that inspired her favorite film."I want to stay as long as possible here," Putintseva said. "I love the history of Rome so much. I love Italy in general: there's so much culture and so many great places to walk."Putintseva's love for Rome extends beyond its historical significance. She praises the city's architecture, art, and cuisine, particularly its delectable gelato.As she prepares to face Sloane Stephens in the second round of the Italian Open, Putintseva remains focused on her own journey. She embraces the opportunity to be the star of her own Roman Holiday, showcasing her talent and personality on the grand stage of tennis.

Daria Kasatkina and her girlfriend Natalia Zabiiako have released the latest episode of their joint vlog, which features a candid interview with former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka. The episode, which Kasatkina has declared the "best ... so far!" delves into the world of clay-court tennis and reveals a humorous anecdote about Roger Federer.Azarenka, who had previously invited herself onto the vlog, shared her insights on clay-court play and recounted a funny story from the Mutua Madrid Open in 2012, when the tournament experimented with blue clay. She also revisited her famous match against Kasatkina at the 2020 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, where she comforted Kasatkina after she rolled her ankle in the first-set tiebreak."After this injury, you managed to recover and play so quickly! People don't know this! These are the stories that need to be told!" Azarenka exclaimed. "You need to tell people such life stories. They can help children, for example, because they don't know."The episode also features a visit from Caroline Wozniacki, who shared a video of their memorable ride from the airport to the tournament's player hotel. Jennifer Brady, who recently underwent a second knee surgery, provided an update on her recovery while meeting Kasatkina for breakfast on crutches. Paula Badosa took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, showing a photo of herself and Kasatkina from their youth."In Facebook, I have you as my sister ... from when we were 13 years old!" Badosa said.The nearly 90-minute episode offers a glimpse into the lives of these tennis stars, providing insights into their on-court experiences and personal journeys.

Daria Kasatkina, the world's No. 12 tennis player, has become a vocal commentator on the Oscars, sharing her opinions on the awards show via live commentary on X, formerly Twitter. Kasatkina's commentary has sparked discussions among her followers, with some agreeing with her views and others expressing differing opinions.Kasatkina's support for Emma Stone, who won Best Actress for her performance in "Poor Things," was met with enthusiasm. However, she expressed disappointment with "Oppenheimer," which won seven awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Kasatkina questioned the film's acclaim, prompting mixed reactions from her followers.One comment that drew Kasatkina's ire was a suggestion that she should "stick with tennis." She responded by questioning why her interest in other areas should be limited by her profession.Other members of the tennis community also shared their thoughts on the Oscars. Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs and eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Chris Evert debated the Best Actor award, with Evert supporting Bradley Cooper for his performance in "Maestro" and Stubbs praising Cillian Murphy's performance in "Oppenheimer."Kasatkina's commentary highlights the growing popularity of tennis players engaging with fans and sharing their perspectives on non-tennis-related topics. Her willingness to express her opinions and engage with her followers has further solidified her connection with the tennis community and beyond.