Russian Daria Kasatkina does not have enough stars in the sky this season and before the tournament in Charleston she could not win the WTA tournament, although she had already competed in the finals twice: in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi. At first she was unable to oppose anything to Elena Ostapenko, and then to Elena Rybakina.
There were some failures at the beginning of the year. The tennis player was only able to reach the second round of the Australian Open, and also did not perform very well at four “thousanders” in a row that preceded the tournament in Charleston: only in Indian Wells did she reach the fourth round.
The Russian also did not look very stable at competitions of a lower rank, which were no longer held on hard court, but on clay. In the opening match, she lost the set to American Ashlyn Kruger, although she then won the decisive game 6:1. And then in the quarterfinals she pulled out a victory against the Romanian Jacqueline Christian, who ranks only 83rd in the WTA rankings.
However, the most difficult thing on the way to the final was the meeting with Jessica Pegula. Before this, the Russian and the American played twice, and both fights went to the US representative. In addition, Kasatkina experienced problems with her knee throughout the match and even resorted to the help of a medical team, but despite the pain, she managed to show her fighting qualities: in the tiebreaker in the decisive game she won 7:5, after which she even saw tears of happiness. After all, for the first time this season she defeated an opponent from the top 10.
And for the trophy the tennis player had to fight with another US representative - Danielle Collins. The 30-year-old athlete returned to tour after surgery due to endometriosis. In addition, in 2019, doctors diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis. But despite all this, the girl continues to perform, and at the end of April she won a tournament in Miami, defeating Rybakina.
Collins also looked great in Charleston. She left no chance for Paola Badosa, Ons Jabeur, Elise Meurtens and Sloane Stephens. And in the semi-finals she knocked out the Greek Maria Sakkari from the fight. Moreover, there was no serious fight in this match. Danielle won the match with a score of 6:3, 6:3.
Thus, Collins won 12 matches in a row and repeated her best result in her career. Three years ago she went undefeated at tournaments in Palermo and San Jose and only stumbled in Montreal.
“I think Daniel is playing the best tennis of his career at the moment. She is fearless. When she feels her game, she becomes one of the most dangerous tennis players on tour, and now she definitely feels it,” Kasatkina told the WTA press service.
The American had previously played with Daria three times, and the statistics of personal meetings spoke in favor of the Russian - 2:1. However, all fights took place in 2021 before the operation. Therefore, it was difficult to predict how the final would turn out. Although Collins, whom many experts called the strongest tennis player on the tour at the moment, was considered the favorite.
The beginning of the confrontation was left to the American. She easily took her serve and then grabbed her opponent's game. Moreover, Daria hit the first ball well and seemed to do everything as always, however, Collins managed to pull out difficult balls. As a result, the girls played 22 rallies, but Daniel still achieved her goal on the fourth break point and took the lead - 2:0.
Kasatkina tried to change tactics and act more aggressively. But this did not bring her significant dividends. The opponent continued to take her points, going to the net more often. As a result, in the first game everything ended in the seventh game. Moreover, in fact, Daria gave it away herself: the Russian made a double, and then could not hit the square with the first ball. Collins earned a double set point and converted one - 6:2.
After the break, the Russian woman looked completely helpless. She couldn’t cope with the powerful blows of the American, which she accurately placed along the lines. And even on her serve she didn’t have the slightest advantage. Collins easily led 4:0, and only after that Daria managed to earn two break points at the reception. But Danielle still didn’t give up her game.
At 5:0, the Russian lost the score in the set. But it seemed that Collins herself was not fighting much for points. So, she unexpectedly made a mistake on smash, which she had previously done so well. And on her serve at 40:0, Daniel even allowed herself a double fault. But it was a momentary weakness - 6:1.
Collins won her 13th match and second title in a row. On Monday she will rise to 15th place in the WTA rankings. Her best position is seventh place. And it seems that at this rate she will quickly get to him.
As for Kasatkina, she will retain 11th position. However, the statistics are disappointing. The Russian lost her third final this season and fifth in a row.