Noskova shocks Kasatkina at Adelaide Worldwide

Czech teenager Linda Noskova has produced one of many first main shocks of the 2023 season, beating Eighth-ranked Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 Monday within the opening spherical of the Adelaide Worldwide.

The 102-ranked 18-year-old got here via a tricky qualifying draw by which she beat world No. 58 Anna Kalinskaya and No. 43 Anastasia Potapova earlier than reaching the most important win of her profession over third-seeded Kastkina.

Noskova was taking part in in solely her fifth primary draw on the WTA Tour and had by no means beforehand performed, not to mention crushed, a top-10 participant. She had been 0-2 in opposition to top-20 opponents.

Her greatest win earlier than Monday had been over 38-ranked Alize Cornet within the second spherical en path to the semifinals in Prague.

Noskova took the primary set comfortably in 46 minutes and broke to steer 4-3 within the second earlier than Kasatkina broke again. She served for the match at 6-5 in however Kasatkina once more fought again to take the set in a tiebreaker.

However the Czech revived to win the deciding set and the match in simply over 2-1/2 hours, ending with a sweeping cross-court forehand on match level. She broke Kasatkina’s serve eight occasions general, hit 57 winners off the bottom and received 21 of the 24 factors when she got here to internet.

Kasatkina had a tumultuous 2022 season throughout which she broke again into the highest 10. She additionally got here out as homosexual and overtly denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Noskova reached a rating excessive of 87 in 2022 and certified for the principle attracts on the French and US Opens.

“It’s been lots of ups and downs however I believe it was a very good season,” Noskova mentioned. “I began round 300, I believe, after which round 100 now, so it’s a fairly good progress.

“Clearly I would like to select it up slightly bit to get again into the (prime) 100 however hopefully I’m going to attain it this 12 months.” Noskova now will face the winner of the match between Australia’s Priscilla Hon and American qualifier Claire Liu.