On the famed greenhouse court at Roland Garros, Australia’s newest tennis recruit Daria Kasatkina has continued to bloom, sweeping with a flourish into the fourth round of the French Open.
Another compelling duel with her old rival Paula Badosa did eventually blossom on the lovely Court Simonne Mathieu on Saturday before Kasatkina, who had completely dominated the first set, eventually had to dig deep to prevail 6-1 7-5.
Kasatkina’s victory on the sunken court in the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil botanical garden surrounded by greenhouses ensured the rare but sweet smell of success for Australian tennis at Roland Garros.
For the first time since 1988, there’ll now be an Aussie player in both the men’s and women’s draws in the last 16, with Alexei Popyrin also in the fourth round.
The last time this happened was 37 years ago when Pat Cash and Nicole Provis both made the second week.
This win was comfortably 28-year-old Russian-born Kasatkina’s best since she announced she was taking permanent Australian residency two months ago.
She has set up a last-16 meeting with the women’s game’s new sensation, sixth seed Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old Russian who hammered Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-1.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/kasatkina-provides-37-year-first-for-aussies-in-paris-c-18879487
