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‘My heart will be left here forever’, says Daria Kasatkina after home triumph


Daria Kasatkina became the first player to win two WTA tournaments this year by claiming the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy when Margarita Gasparyan was forced to retire due to injury. 

The world No. 61 also became the first player to win both WTA 500 events in Russia – having also collected the Moscow title in 2018.

Gasparyan took a medical timeout for a lower back injury after Kasatkina raced to a 4-1 first set lead – after there were three service breaks in the opening four games. The set then continued on serve and Kasatkina – the younger Russian – closed it out 6-3.

The pair exchanged breaks in the first two games of the second set, before Kasatkina broke the world No. 126 again to go up 2-1. Gasparyan was forced to retire at this stage as a result of her injury.

“I would like to congratulate Margarita on a good performance, and I wish her a speedy recovery,” said Kasatkina during the on-court trophy presentation.

“This tournament has become so dear to me that I would love to hug everyone.

“I love St. Petersburg, hopefully I will be back here next year. Thank you St. Petersburg, my heart will be left here forever.”

The 23-year-old added in a post-match interview: “My coach was telling me the best medicine is to win matches, and that’s 100% true.

“I’m proud of how I was able to manage the pressure. I felt differently during this tournament and I’m really proud of that.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.