By Tennis Now | Friday, March 17, 2018
Daria Kasatkina edged No. 8-seeded Venus Williams in a thriller, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, to advance to her first Indian Wells final.
Photo credit: Dan Huerlimann/Beelde Images
Daria Kasatkina continues to confound Grand Slam champions with major all-court mastery.
The 20-year-old Russian shrewdly mixed spins and speeds edging Venus Williams in a thriller, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, to advance to her first Indian Wells final.
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Tremendous touch helped Kasatkina earn her ninth victory in her last 10 matches. She tossed her racquet aside and clutched her face in her hands in joy celebrating a victory that will vault her to a career-high ranking of No. 11.
Defusing the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s power with angle, finesse and all-court acumen, Kasatkina scored her fourth consecutive victory over a Grand Slam champion following straight sets sweeps of reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens, reigning Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and two-time major champion Angelique Kerber.
Continuing her quest for her second career title, Kasatkina will face fellow 20-year-old Naomi Osaka in Sunday’s final.
Twenty-two years after her tournament debut, the 37-year-old Williams was two points from the final holding a 5-4, love-30 lead on Kasatkina’s serve, but growing fatigue and a stubborn opponent prevented the No. 8 seed from crossing the finish line.
"You know, she just played a little better at the end," said Williams. "It was really pretty much that simple."
The 2017 Charleston champion kept calm and played dynamic tennis reeling off the final three games to advance to her fourth career final after a glorious two hour, 48-minute battle.
At the outset, Williams missed a forehand down the line and scattered a running forehand dropping serve in the opening game. Attacking Kasatkina’s topspin forehand, Williams drew an error that ballooned beyond the baseline breaking back.
Anticipation and the ability to strike with accuracy when stretched helped Kasatkina coax forehand errors and carve out a second straight break.
The 20-year-old Russian rolled through a love hold consolidating for 3-1. Realizing she was losing ground in extended exchanges, Williams began stepping in more. She broke back in the sixth game.
A pulsating rally that saw Williams attack for a smash only to be drive back by a lob conclude with Williams slashing a forehand winner down the line holding for 5-4.
Jitters struck Kasatkina who double-faulted and launched a forehand beyond the baseline as Williams snatched the seventh break of the set to seize a one-set lead.
While Williams retreated for a bathroom break, Kasatkina’s coach Philippe Dehaes came on court offering high-energy encouragement.
“She’s 37 and you’re 20 so make her work, make her move,” Dehaes said.
Contesting her third semifinal of the season, Kasatkina made her move breaking to open the second set and mixing the spins, speeds and heights of her shots beautifully backing up the break for 2-0.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Kasatkina hit a forehand behind Williams, who stopped, skidded a bit and sailed a forehand long on set point. After one hour, 46 minutes the Russian had forced a final set.
Explosive movement—even at age 37—has powered Williams’ run through the tournament. She burst off the mark quickly to catch up to a drop shot and soared for a smash for break point. Williams zapped a diagonal forehand breaking for 2-0.
Showing fine feel, Kasatkina carved out a fine forehand answering with a two-game spurt to level.
A gripping fifth game escalated with both women landing deep strikes down the line. Charging forward, Williams bumped three drop volley winners during a hard-fought hold for 3-2.
Digging out of a love-30 hole, Kasatkina reeled off four consecutive points to level after 10 games.
Looking weary after two hours, 44 minutes of physical play, Williams dumped successive double faults to gift the break and a 6-5 lead to Kasatkina.
On her second match point, Kasatkina closed when Williams pasted a backhand into the middle of the net.
Kasatkina converted seven of 19 break-point chances beating the four-time Olympic gold-medal champion for the second time in three meetings with all three encounters going the distance.
An electrifying match showed the levels both women can reach though at this stage of her career, Williams has no time to celebrate moral victories.
"Anyone who gets used to losses should give up on life," Williams said.