Daria Kasatkina withdraws from Prague Open with leg injury

Daria Kasatkina has pulled out of the Prague Open with an injury to her leg. The Russian shared the news of her withdrawal on one of her social media pages.

Kasatkina played the Palermo Open this past week and said she had sustained the injury while playing in the Italian event. Kasatkina also mentioned that she would be travelling to the United States to play in the American swing.

Leg Injury forces Daria Kasatkina out of Prague

“Unfortunately (to) my leg injury I got in Palermo, I had to withdraw from Prague. Will recover 100% and be ready to US. Thanks for tournament in Prague, that are making (a) really good job with hosting a tournament and it seems like tennis is really back,” she posted.

Kasatkina lost in the first round of the Palermo Open after a hard-fought three-setter against Italian lucky loser Jasmine Paolini. After over a three-hour tussle on the dirt, Paolini came back from a set down to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. This week, Kasatkina was drawn to play fellow Russian and fifth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round, in the second half of the draw, in Prague.

The Prague Open to be held from 8th-16th August is the second tournament to be played on the WTA Tour since tennis resumed after a five-month break on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

World no. 3 Simona Halep is the top-seed in the tournament played in the Czech capital. Halep had earlier committed to play in Palermo but had to withdraw because of concerns regarding the pandemic. The Romanian will play Slovenian Polona Hercog in the opening round.

Croatia’s Petra Martic who was the top-seed in Palermo is the second seed in Prague. Martic reached the semi-finals of the Italian tournament, before losing to Estonian Anett Kontaveit. Martic will open against Russia’s Varvara Gracheva in Prague.

Alongside the Prague Open, the Top Seed Open will be the other WTA event to be played next week, in Lexington, Kentucky in the US. The event features 23-time Slam champion Serena Williams as the top-seed. Other players include seven-time Major champion Venus Williams, two-time Major champion Victoria Azarenka, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Aryna Sabalenka (the tournament second seed), and Amanda Anisimova.

Meanwhile, a lucky loser will be taking Daria Kasatkina’s place in the Prague main draw.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/30GNBaV