Czech teenager Linda Noskova has claimed her maiden top-10 victim, steadying the ship to secure a first-round upset of Daria Kasatkina at the Adelaide International on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 18-year-old, in just her fifth tour-level main draw, backed up two qualifying wins with a 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 defeat of the third seed, reports adelaideinternational.com.au.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having climbed as high as world No.87 as recently as August, Noskova was intent on building on a breakout 2022, in which she qualified for her first two grand slam main draws at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows and notched a tour-level semifinal on home soil in Prague.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's been a lot of ups and downs but I think it was a really good season," Noskova said. "I started around 300, I think, and then around 100 now, so it's a pretty good progress.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Obviously I need to pick it up a little bit to get back into the (top) 100 but hopefully I'm going to achieve it this year."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At the US Open last year, Noskova teamed with compatriot Lucie Hradecka to defeat Venus and Serena Williams in what was likely the 14-time Grand Slam doubles champions' last match together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The Prague Open was a really successful tournament for me but as a tournament experience I would say US Open for sure," Noskova said of her 2022 highlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I qualified, played first match, which was good as well, and then the doubles."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In an opening set that featured five breaks in Adelaide it was the heavier-striking world No.102 who came through when it mattered.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A hefty first serve drew the return error and the Czech, fist clenched, strode to the chair with the set in the bag after 46 minutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Momentum proved more elusive in a tight second set as twice Kasatkina was forced to scrap her way back from a break down.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While she failed to capitalise on two set points, last year's Roland Garros semifinalist was not ready to cast her sights east to Melbourne just yet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The world No.8, having collected hard-court trophies in San Jose and Granby last year, broke as Noskova served for the match and looked to have wrested control when she forced a decider.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was not to be as a lower-back niggle required treatment and a red-hot opponent ended her stay after two hours and 31 minutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Noskova awaits the winner of Australian Priscilla Hon and American qualifier Claire Liu.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was not to be as a lower-back niggle required treatment and a red-hot opponent ended her stay after two hours and 31 minutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n