Daria Kasatkina calls out Tokyo organizers: 'Not to make players almost die on field'



by DZEVAD MESIC

Daria Kasatkina calls out Tokyo organizers: 'Not to make players almost die on field'
© Getty Images Sport - Sarah Stier

Daria Kasatkina told the Tokyo organizers that using the roof during extreme heat would probably be a smart idea. On Thursday, Kasatkina saw off Despina Papamichail 6-4 6-4 in the Tokyo round-of-16. After the match, Kasatkina was asked if she was using any methods to deal with the extreme heat in Tokyo.

"We cannot do much about it. We are using the ice towels and some supplements to keep yourself hydrated. But at the end, you cannot fight with something you cannot control. I think maybe in these kinds of conditions, if you have a roof, better maybe to close it.

If you have these opportunities, I think you can use it, not to make players almost die on the field," Kasatkina said.

Kasatkina exited Tokyo in the round-of-16

After beating Papamichail in straight sets, No 6 Kasatkina didn't stand any chance against second-seeded Jessica Pegula as the American handed the Russian a 6-1 6-0 loss in the Tokyo quarterfinal.

Interestingly, Kasatkina actually won the first game of the match as she broke Pegula in the very first game of the match. Pegula bounced back impressively after getting broken early as the American responded by breaking Kasatkina in the second, fourth and sixth games for a 5-1 lead.

In the seventh game, Kasatkina had three break points on Pegula's service but the American saved them all before realizing her first set point to clinch the first set. In the second set, Pegula broke Kasatkina three times and didn't face any break points to complete a very dominant straight-set win over the Russian.

Now, Pegula owns a 2-0 head-to-head record against Kasatkina. Previously, Pegula beat Kasatkina in straight sets when they met in 2021 Rome. After exiting Tokyo, Kasatkina turns her focus to Beijing, where she plays Mayar Sherif in the first round. Kasatkina, 26, is set for her fifth Beijing appearance. In 2017 and 2019, Kasatkina made the Beijing quarterfinals.

Daria Kasatkina