VCO Champion Kasatkina into Final of Dubai after upset of World No. 3 Muguruza

Our 2017 champion Daria Kasatkina has been relentless in Dubai, and her tough play in some grueling matches has earned her a spot in the finals at the Dubai Duty-Free Championships. Kasatkina’s road to the finals began with a tough second round draw against WTA No.12 Johanna Konta, a 2018 Volvo Car Open contender. Kasatkina came back from a one set deficit and saved two match points in what would result in a 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-2 victory for the Russian, granting her a spot in the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Kasatkina won her first set against Elena Vesnina, who will also play in Charleston, in yet another bout of tie-breakers before closing out the match in the second set. She grabbed the victory 7-6(6), 6-1 to advance to the semifinals.

Her semifinal match would result in yet another long battle, this time coming against World No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza, the current Wimbledon champion. Kasatkina put her endurance and determination on display yet again to come away with her fifth career victory over a top 5 opponent. She won the match 3-6, 7-6(11), 6-1 to secure a finals appearance. There, she’ll meet No. 1 seed and World No. 4 Elina Svitolina, who defeated Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka and Qiang Wang on the way to the finals.

Kasatkina hasn’t displayed any signs of fatigue on her journey to the finals in Dubai. The Duabi final marks her third ever finals appearance for Kasatkina, and if she is able to come away with a victory, it will set another milestone in her career.

Kasatkina will look to defend her first WTA title come April, right here in Charleston, SC. Her career has taken off since the win last spring, and we’re ecstatic to have her back for the 2018 tournament when we kick off in a few weeks. Don’t have tickets yet? There’s still time to grab single session and ticket packages. Browse now.

The Volvo Car Open wishes the best of luck to our reigning champion in Dubai! Tune into the Dubai Duty-Free Championships final tomorrow, Feb 24th at 10am ET. Kastkina will battle against World No. 4 Elina Svitolina for the title.