Daria Kasatkina has won her first round match at the Adelaide International, her first home win as an Australian.
The world number 48 defeated Greek wildcard Maria Sakkari in straight sets 7-6 (7-2) 6-4, in a Monday night clash on centre court.
Kasatkina switched allegiance from Russia to Australia in March 2025.
The 28-year-old took 70 minutes to claim the opening set and another 45 minutes to win the second against Sakkari, who was ranked third in the world in March 2022 and is currently 52nd.
Earlier, Ajla Tomljanovic advanced when injury-hit Dane Clara Tauson retired after one set.
Tomljanovic won the set in a tiebreak, 7-6 (7-5) and Denmark’s world Number 14, who played with a vertical bandage on her left hamstring, then sought medical treatment before retiring.
The extent of her injury not immediately known ahead of the Australian Open starting on Sunday.
“It’s really unfortunate when someone has to retire. I know what it feels like, it’s never easy,” the 32-year-old Tomljanovic said.
“But just from my point of view, that whole set I was very locked in and didn’t really see what was going on with her and what was bothering her.”
Kokkinakis injury flares
Elsewhere at the Adelaide International, Thanasi Kokkinakis beat American Sebastian Korda in a late night match that ended 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Adelaide International. (AAP:Matt Turner)
Kokkinakis suffered a flare-up of his shoulder injury during the match and had to call for medical treatment.
It was the 29-year-old’s first singles match in almost a year.
Kokkinakis underwent surgery last February in a bid to fix a long-standing pectoral problem.
AAP
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