Aussie star Daria Kasatkiina throws her wristband to opponent Mirra Andreeva after losing the French open – but everything is not as it seems

A proud Daria Kasatkina has explained the embrace she felt from Australia during her first Grand Slam under the flag at the French open Was like nothing she had ever known before in her tennis career.

Kasatkina finally bent in Roland Garros on Monday, defeated by the 18-year-old phenomenon and her co-in Russian friend Mirra Andreeva 6-3 7-5 After what the victorious teenager rightly called a ‘Hell of A Match’ in the fourth round in Roland Garros.

Their 94 -minute duel on the Suzanne Lenglen field ended with Kasatkina who threw her wristband joke at her conqueror at the net, while Andreeva told the tongue in the cheek of the crowd that she only practiced with the Aussie because she hated her.

Two months since the permanent residence permit was granted, Kasatkina hopes to become the first Australian woman who reached the quarterfinals since Ash Barty’s triumphant year of 2019 perhaps fails, but the 28-year-old, who enjoyed being the ‘last Aussie-standing’, it was a good start.

“First of all it was a good result, but I also felt super good to get on the field as an Australian player,” said the 17th seed.

‘To feel the support of the stands so often. I don’t know if everyone who shouted, ‘Aussie’, came from Australia, but I felt this support. I also get a lot of support from the Australians on social media that they are so happy to welcome me, and they are happy for me.

Daria Kasatkina threw her sweaty wristband to Teen Phenom and friend Mirra Andreeva

Kasatkina went to Roland Garros 6-3 7-5 after what the victorious teenager rightly called a ‘hell of a competition’

“So this is the kind of support that I honestly never had before, it feels like it’s something new for me – but it feels so nice.”

When asked whether everyone could call her ‘an Aussie Battler’ after she had given the sixth seed a real fear with her second set counterattack when she even earned a set point, Kasatkina offered a bitter smile and replied: “If you want …”

It was a huge match full of variety, such as Blitz Chess between two All-Court Grand Masters, played in a fantastic spirit of two training partners.

Kasatkina noticed: “Maybe we know each other too well, maybe we should take a break in practicing … No, I’m joking.”

The only other time they had played a match was in the final of the Ningbo open last October in China, with Andreeva ending in tears and had to be comforted by the player for 10 years her senior after blowing up a 3-0 lead in the last set.

Things have clearly changed. Andreeva grew up. This time she said it was easy to set aside friendship when she went Kasatkina’s second set increase in the world no. 17 from 3-1 to 5-3, with a combination of the most extraordinary defensive determination and some ferocious attacking shots.

All looked lost for Kasatkina at the beginning of the second, but she felt her promise that she was ready to ‘die at the court’ because she apparently pursued impossible causes and even survived the young person to win a remarkable 26-shot rally.

And that total determination gave Andreeva problems when Kasatkina earned a fixed point from the delivery of the young person at 5-4, to be robbed by a powerful forehand.

Andreeva, 18, and Kasatkina, 28, are both friends and former practice partners

Andreeva (throwing the wristband to her bag) is the youngest woman this century to reach back-to-back last performances

Once back level, Andreeva started to dictate. A lot amazing pick -up also led to a gloomy Kasatkina -slats in the net and enabled her to break to love, before she sealed the deal at her second match point when the Aussie hit a forehand for a long time.

Andreeva has reached the quarters without dropping a set and is the youngest woman this century to reach back-to-back last-eight performances. Martina Hingis did it for the last time in 1998.

Asked if her input in practice might have helped Andreeva adults, smiled Kasatkina: “I hope not!”

But she recognized a completely different power than the victim of Ningbo. “Well, she grew so much. I feel that she is bigger and longer every week, her serve is always improved and her movement is very good. ‘

Australian interest remains strong in the field, with World No.2 Junior Emerson Jones until the second round of the girls event with a 6-1 1-6 6-2 victory over the American Capucine Jauffret.

Olympic men’s subbels champions John Peers and Matt Ebden defeated the Italian fourth seeds Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli 6-2 7-6 (8-6) to make the quarterfinals.