Roland Garros: Daria Kasatkina upsets Belinda Bencic in second round

The Russian player stuns the No.10 seed in straight sets, while Katerina Siniakova survives a thriller in Paris.

Daria Kasatkina in a file pic (Credit: Twitter)
By Karthik Raman | Jun 2, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Daria Kasatkina produced an upset win over the No.10 seed Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-2 in the second round of Roland Garros. The straight sets victory sends the Russian into the third round of a major for the first time since Wimbledon 2018. Kasatkina and Bencic had previously split four pro meetings, winning two each. The most impressive aspect of Kasatkina’s game was her serve as she never faced a break point and managed eight aces.

“A lot has changed between 2018 and now,” said Kasatkina after the match. “There was one amazing year for me, which was important in a good and in the bad way. I learned a lot, and I think I become a little bit different, maybe more experienced, a bit more serious. Let’s say I understand more why I’m winning or why I’m losing.

“At that time everything was just going with the wave, and I was not thinking that much. Now I’m analysing more what’s going on in the situation I’m in. Getting maybe a bit more mature.”

Siniakova prevails over Kudermetova

Meanwhile, Katerina Siniakova dug deep to survive a gruelling contest against No.29 seed Veronika Kudermetova 7-6, 5-7, 7-5 in two hours and 52 minutes. The rollercoaster match saw both the players producing incredible comeback and at the same time surrendered massive leads to make it a thrilling watch.

Siniakova won the first set from 2-5 down in a tie-breaker. But she lost the second from going 3-0 up. However, she showed immense courage to fightback from 1-5 down to win the third. Siniakova saved two match points, both on her own serve, at 1-5 and 3-5. She then won the match in exquisite style as the crowd was treated to an early feast.

Elsewhere, unseeded pair of Tamara Zidansek and Sorana Cirstea booked their places in the third round. World No.85 Zidansek managed a 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Madison Brengle. Zidansek has now made it to the third round of a major for the first time. Cirstea, however, had to work extremely hard to beat Martina Trevisan. She won the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 37 minutes.