Olaniyi AyoolaIn the second round of the 2025 Madrid Open, Daria Kasatkina secured a straight-sets victory over Alycia Parks, winning 6–2, 7–5. This match marked their second meeting, with Kasatkina also having won their previous encounter at the 2023 US Open.
Kasatkina, seeded 14th and now representing Australia, demonstrated her clay-court prowess by controlling the match’s tempo. She capitalized on Parks’ aggressive playstyle, effectively redirecting pace and exploiting openings. The first set saw Kasatkina dominate with a 6–2 scoreline, while the second set was more competitive. Parks improved her serve and baseline consistency, but Kasatkina’s experience and strategic play enabled her to clinch the set 7–5, concluding the match in 1 hour and 31 minutes .
Alycia Parks entered the match with momentum, having defeated Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva in the first round. However, her limited experience on clay surfaces was evident. Despite showcasing her powerful serve and athleticism, Parks struggled with unforced errors and adapting to the slower surface, which Kasatkina exploited effectively .
Statistical analysis favored Kasatkina, with predictive models assigning her a 69% to 78% chance of winning . These predictions were validated by her composed performance and tactical superiority.
With this win, Kasatkina advanced to the third round, aiming to build on her clay-court success. Parks, while exiting the tournament, gained valuable experience that could aid her development on clay surfaces.
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