Former Charleston Open champion Daria Kasatkina began her 2025 tournament and a new chapter representing Australia with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over wild card Lauren Davis in the second round.
Charleston: Draws | Scores | Order of play
Kasatkina has been competing as a neutral player since 2022, following restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes. Recently, she announced obtaining permanent residency in Australia and her decision to compete under the Australian flag.
Leading up to Charleston, where she secured her first WTA title in 2017, the No. 5 seed Kasatkina highlighted her sexual orientation as a key factor in her decision. In 2023, the Russian government labeled the `international LGBT movement` as `extremist`.
`Given the current situation in my previous country, I felt I had limited options,` Kasatkina explained to Ben Rothenberg at Bounces. `As an openly gay person wanting to be true to myself, this step was necessary.`
The world No. 12 Kasatkina showcased impressive form both during and after her debut match as Australia`s top-ranked player. She is currently ranked sixty places above Australia`s second-highest player, Kimberly Birrell, who is at No. 62. Kasatkina swiftly defeated Davis in just 61 minutes and then engaged in a cheerful on-court interview with Andrew Krasny.
`I couldn`t stop smiling, even though I felt some pre-match jitters,` she admitted to Krasny. `Stepping onto the court with my new status and flag was quite nerve-wracking. But those nerves tend to disappear as soon as you start playing. I`m just really happy I managed to handle it.`
Kasatkina`s smile widened as she received enthusiastic applause from the crowd and a high-five from Krasny, expressing her gratitude for their support.
`The past couple of years have been challenging, so standing here and feeling this way is truly wonderful,` she concluded.
Rupert Caldwell