Daria Kasatkina experienced a difficult switch to Australian colours, hitting a low point at the Madrid Open. There, she squandered four match points in a first-round loss to Daria Snigur. This defeat resulted in her dropping to world No. 83, her lowest ranking in 11 years. The Catalonia Open became her only opportunity for revival.
Kasatkina’s Mental Battle and ‘Swim in the Sh*t’ Admission
Reflecting on the difficult period, Kasatkina admitted that she has been facing tough times. She described every match as a battle. “It’s a little bit tough times for me, every match is a battle, so I have to, as we spoke with my coach, I have to swim in the sh*t a little bit for now,” Kasatkina said.
Against Emiliana Arango, Kasatkina was forced into a chaotic, hard-fought battle to survive. The match saw momentum swing wildly for over two hours. Kasatkina looked in control early but let a double break advantage slip away.
She found herself saving two match points under intense pressure. Despite the collapse, she clawed her way back with resilience and edged through 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 to reach Round 2.
Controversy Surrounds Final Point Due to Electronic Line Calling Failure
The drama extended to the final point. At match point in the tiebreak, Arango served, but the Electronic Line Calling system failed at a crucial moment. The umpire called the ball out even though Arango managed to return it.
Both players paused at the net for nearly a minute, waiting for confirmation on whether the ball was in or out. With no video footage available and officials in discussion, the uncertainty lingered. Eventually, Arango accepted the decision, shook hands with Kasatkina, and conceded the match.
Even before the match between Daria Kasatkina and Emiliana Arango, the Madrid Open had already witnessed similar problems with the Electronic Line Calling system.
Recurring Disruptions at the Madrid Open
A notable incident occurred during Alexander Zverev’s match against Terence Atmane, which was also affected by a questionable call. Zverev was serving at 4-2 and 15-0 in the second set, when the situation suddenly shifted. During a long rally, a forehand from Atmane appeared to drift beyond the baseline, prompting Zverev to immediately stop the point and react. He stood wi
Now through to the Round of 16, Kasatkina will face Laura Pigossi. Given the struggles she has endured, including a pause in her career last year, this hard-fought comeback may feel like a much-needed lifeline.