Daria Kasatkina gets a second US Open test in doubles after singles exit

Daria Kasatkina ’s singles campaign ended against Paula Badosa, but her US Open week continues on Friday with Yuliia Starodubtseva — a quick shift from solving a baseline problem alone to building points in a new partnership.

A different problem, immediately Daria Kasatkina’s singles campaign ended on Wednesday, September 2, when Paula Badosa completed a 6-1, 6-4 victory in a match split across two days by rain. Kasatkina had been left with little margin against Badosa’s first-strike tennis: the Spaniard controlled the shorter exchanges, protected her serve and repeatedly forced Kasatkina to defend from uncomfortable court positions. (usopen.org)

The singles defeat is not, however, the end of Kasatkina’s New York tournament. She is scheduled to return on Friday, September 4, alongside Yuliia Starodubtseva in the women’s doubles draw. The pairing faces Eudice Chong and Yang Zhaoxuan, according to the published draw information. That gives Kasatkina an immediate opportunity to reset without pretending the two formats ask the same questions. (usopen.org)

Kasatkina’s value changes in doubles Kasatkina’s singles strengths — disguise, variation, anticipation and the ability to redirect pace — remain useful in doubles, but only if converted into decisive first-ball patterns. There is less time to construct the long defensive sequences that define much of her singles work. The key will be whether she can use her return placement and changes of direction to create the next ball for Starodubtseva, rather than trying to win every exchange herself.

That should make the partnership an interesting tactical test. Starodubtseva is coming off a significant singles result of her own after recovering from a set down to defeat 32nd seed Maria Sakkari on September 4. Her direct ball-striking can supply the penetration Kasatkina does not naturally seek, while Kasatkina’s court reading should help organise the pair’s movement and target selection. (wtatennis.com)

The challenge is coordination. A player used to absorbing and extending rallies has to commit earlier in doubles: close the net behind a strong return, protect the middle, and make the first volley count. Kasatkina’s ability to read opponents should help, but the partnership cannot become passive. Against a team capable of holding the centre and attacking second serves, floating neutral balls will simply invite pressure.

A useful continuation, not a consolation prize This is not a substitute for a better singles result, and one doubles match will not redefine Kasatkina’s tournament. It does provide a more relevant measure of her adaptability than another assessment of the Badosa loss. The question on Friday is whether she can turn a compressed, shared-court environment into an advantage by making clear decisions early in points.

For Starodubtseva, the match also arrives at a useful moment. Her singles campaign has gathered momentum in New York, and the doubles assignment asks her to transfer that confidence into a format where power must be balanced with spacing and communication. The pairing’s success will depend less on spectacular shot-making than on whether Kasatkina can create predictable patterns for her partner and whether Starodubtseva can finish them.

Kasatkina’s New York campaign therefore moves from a singles examination of problem-solving against Badosa’s pace to a doubles examination of rapid adaptation. The result matters, but the more revealing detail will be how quickly she commits to the role: organiser, returner and pressure-builder rather than the sole architect of every point.

Sources Results | Official Site of the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships - A USTA Event Women's Doubles Draw | Official Site of the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships - A USTA Event Sakkari vs. Starodubtseva | Round of 64 US Open 2026 | WTA Official US Open 2026 completed results — Kasatkina 1-4 Badosa 6-6 WTA official US Open 2026 scores and player list US Open 2026 women’s doubles draw ABC News Australian wrap: Preston and Kasatkina out WTA official: Sakkari v Starodubtseva, US Open 2026