Kasatkina's Ranking Hits Lowest Point in 11 Years Following Madrid Open Defeat
Daria Kasatkina's tenure representing Australia has reached a new low at the Madrid Open after a heartbreaking first-round loss that will cause her ranking to drop to its lowest in over a decade.
On a day when all four Australian women were eliminated from the clay-court tournament, Kasatkina endured the most distressing defeat, falling 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (15-13) to Ukrainian qualifier and lucky loser Daria Snigur. Kasatkina was unable to convert four match points during the encounter.
Since switching her allegiance to Australian tennis twelve months ago amid considerable attention, the 28-year-old Russian-born player has struggled to maintain peak form during a turbulent period in her life. She even stepped away from professional tennis at the end of last year, acknowledging she was at a "breaking point."
"I was at breaking point," Kasatkina admitted after temporarily leaving the sport.
Following a hip injury that sidelined her for two months of the 2026 season, Kasatkina has returned to competition but suffered two additional defeats, including Wednesday’s loss to Snigur. This match featured the longest regular third-set tiebreak in WTA events in eight years.
The 28-year-old lost 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (15-13) in a grueling two-hour and 23-minute match. Despite having four match points and saving six of her opponent’s match points, Kasatkina ultimately lost when a forehand went wide.
This defeat brought her season record to four wins and eight losses. Having played her first match as an Australian last April while ranked No. 12 globally and No. 1 nationally, Kasatkina will now drop to Australian No. 5 and at least world No. 83 in the upcoming rankings — her lowest since 2015.
Kasatkina likely found it difficult to comprehend how she lost such a remarkable and entertaining match, especially after serving for the match at 6-5 in the final set and earning her first match point.
However, world No. 98 Snigur, a lucky loser competing in her first career tour-level clay match, displayed resilience in overcoming her more experienced opponent. Kasatkina appeared stunned when Snigur executed an incredible backhand passing shot at full stretch while facing match point down at 7-6 in the tiebreak.
Other Australian Players Also Exit Early at Madrid Open
Kasatkina was not the only Australian player to be eliminated at the renowned Caja Magica venue. Talia Gibson, Australia's No. 2 and a breakout star during the recent hard-court season in the United States, struggled on clay and was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by Colombian Emiliana Arango.
World No. 85 Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Hungary’s No. 117-ranked player 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, while Kim Birrell also fell to Hungarian opposition, losing 4-6, 1-6, 6-1 against world No. 78 Panna Udvardy.
The focus now shifts to the Australian men at Madrid, with Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, and Adam Walton all set to compete in the main draw.
