Daria Kasatkina impeccable in first grand slam as an Australian

Australia’s high-calibre Russian import prevailed to become the first Australian female to reach the fourth round since Ash Barty’s triumphant year of 2019.

Daria Kasatkina eyes the ball as she plays a backhand return to Spain's Paula Badosa. Picture: AFP

Australia’s high-calibre Russian import, Daria Kasatkina, playing a major for the first time under her new flag, produced impeccable clay court tennis and overcame a momentous bout of nerves to stun 10th-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa and reach the fourth round of the French Open.

Nicknamed The Wall when she entered the world’s top ten and reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros three years ago, the 28-year-old Kasatkina received permanent residency and switched her tennis allegiance in March. She’d been banned from entering her Russian homeland after publicly criticising the war on Ukraine and was competing under a neutral flag since the conflict began in 2022.

Kasatkina defeated Badosa 6-1, 7-5 with a trademark performance of resilient, error-free tennis that drove her opponent, well, up the wall. Badosa was fatigued after off two tough victories in Paris, and Kastakina ran her into the red dirt, pounding ball after ball to the far corners on Court Simonne Mathieu. Kasatkina was so dominant, so very quickly, that it was doubtful if Badosa would complete the match. From the third game, she was throwing her hands to the air quitting points when Kasatkina was pushing her left, right and back again.

Kasatkina celebrates a point against Badosa. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

“Paula is top ten and an amazing player and I was ready for a very difficult match,” Kasatkina said. “If she had a chance I knew she would take it straight away and that’s what happened in the second set. This is where things got a little bit tight, let’s say, but I’m really proud of myself and how I was handling the situation.”

Hands on hips between points, arguing with her entourage, Badosa initially had no answers to Kasatkina’s barrage of flawless groundstrokes. Topspun forehands gripped the clay and bounced high on a muggy day. Conditions were slow, perfect for The Wall, in a match lopsided before the arrival of complications. Badosa was throwing in the white towel late in the first set before rallying in the second. A jubilant Kasatkina prevailed to become the first Australian female to reach the fourth round since Ash Barty’s triumphant year of 2019.

Paula Badosa of Spain. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Kasatkina’s greatest struggle was with nerves. Leading 2-0 in the second set, she became anxious and played tentatively, serving at only 108km/h, giving Badosa hope. The Spaniard broke serve and took heart as her partner, high-profile men’s player Stefanos Tsitsipas, watched from the stands. Badosa started controlling rallies and the adrenaline of a comeback ended her fatigue. Kasatkina was vulnerable and tense at 5-all but held firm, clenching her first at the enormity of the moment. She was back on top and stayed there.

“My last couple of weeks were not amazing and so I’m really happy that I’m back at a special tournament for me,” she said. “I’m feeling much better. Playing here really is a huge honour and I’m really happy to step on the court every time. I love Roland Garros. The crowds here are amazing, very powerful, very energetic so yeah, I’m really happy to come back every year. Thank you very much, guys. Thank you for the support.”