Daria Kasatkina Faces Maria Sakkari in Adelaide International Third Round

Adelaide, Australia – 12 January 2026 – Daria Kasatkina, the Australian tennis star who switched nationalities from Russia in 2025, is set to take on Greek player Maria Sakkari in the third round of the Adelaide International. Kasatkina, ranked 40th in the world, has shown mixed form recently, losing her opening match at the Brisbane International to Anastasia Potapova but aiming to bounce back in her home country’s tournament.

Recent Form and Background

Kasatkina, aged 28, made headlines in 2025 when she announced her decision to represent Australia, citing personal reasons including her stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Her debut for Australia at Brisbane was emotional, as she nearly broke down from the crowd’s support but fell short in a three-set loss. Despite the defeat, she expressed excitement for upcoming tournaments, including Adelaide and the Australian Open.

Head-to-Head Record

Kasatkina and Sakkari have faced each other five times previously, with the series tied at 2-2. Their most recent meeting was in 2025 at the Korea Open, where Sakkari won in the round of 16. On hard courts, which Adelaide features, Sakkari holds a slight edge, but Kasatkina has performed well in past encounters.

Key Facts and Stats

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Daria Kasatkina switch to representing Australia?

Kasatkina switched nationalities in March 2025, citing her disapproval of Russia’s policies on LGBTQ+ rights and the conflict in Ukraine. She has since embraced her new home, feeling welcomed and committed to performing for Australia.

What is the surface at the Adelaide International?

The tournament is played on hard courts, similar to the Australian Open, providing a good preparation for Kasatkina ahead of the Grand Slam.

How has Kasatkina performed in Adelaide previously?

In 2025, Kasatkina reached the quarter-finals but lost to Madison Keys. She has a career record of 184-136 on hard courts.