Daria Kasatkina wins St. Petersburg final

Final in St.Petersburg.

2021 St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy - a WTA 500 tournament, on Hard Indoor, in St. Petersburg, Russia, 15-21 March 2021.

2020 champion (not defending):

Kiki Bertens (2) who defeated Elena Rybakina (8) 6-1 6-3

Final :

Wildcard Margarita Gasparyan (Russia) v Daria Kasatkina (8) (Russia)

Three breaks of serve in the first four games, and Kasatkina led 4-2 with serve to come.

Comfortable holds from the pair, highlighted by some stunning Gasparyan forehands, then led to Kasatkina serving for the opening set.

Three errors from Gasparyan gave Kasatkina three set points. One saved with a forehand winner. Another when Kasatkina hit long. But the single handed backhand from Gasparyan failed on the third, and Kasatkina led 6-3.

Set two started with Kasatkina breaking immediately, a backhand return winner assisting. A Gasparyan forehand winner was not enough.

The eighth seed couldn’t consolidate, a double fault and loose shots causing her to drop serve.

Powerful shots from both wings put Gasparyan ahead 40-0, but a double fault and unforced errors brought it to deuce. A Kasatkina forehand winner gave her a break chance, but it was erased. More errors and a second break point was converted thanks to a double fault.

Sadly, Margarita Gasparyan had to retire due to a back injury.

Daria Kasatkina won the final 6-3 2-1 (retired).

Fourth WTA career title (2 this year) from seven finals for Kasatkina.