Daria Kasatkina is trying to win in 2023, and in Indian Wells she couldn’t go very far either. The eighth seed in the tournament from the Californian desert stopped in the third round after losing to one of the most in-form players on the WTA circuit.

Daria Kasatkina, defeated by Varvara Grachova in Indian Wells

Varvara Grachova (66 WTA), who entered the main draw after qualifying, needed an hour and 39 minutes of play to defeat her compatriot 6-4, 6-4.

Grachova, this month’s finalist in Austin (WTA 250), will beat Olena Rybakina (8th seed) in the last 16 after the Wimbledon champion eliminated Iberian Paula Badoza (WTA 22) 6-3, 7-5.

Daria Kasatkina, who was present at the Tournament of Champions last year, announced in February that she broke up with coach Carlos Martinez and started working with Flavio Cipolla. The 25-year-old athlete won 5 wins and 7 losses in 2023.

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Indian Wells, results posted Monday

Sorana Kirstea – Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-1

Caroline Garcia (5) – Leila Fernandez (30) 6-4, (5)6-7, 6-1

Karolina Mukhova – Martina Trevisan (23) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4

Olena Rybakina (10) – Paula Badosa (21) 6-3, 7-5

Emma Raducanu – Beatrice Haddad Maia (13) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4

Marketa Vondrousova – Ons Zhaber (4) 7-6(5), 6-4

Iga Svyatek (1) – Bianca Andreescu (32) 6-3, 7-6(1)

Varvara Grachova – Daria Kasatkina (8) 6-4, 6-4.

Indian Wells will be held from March 6-19 on hard and 96 players have started in the two main draws. The contest offers $8,800,000 each for men and women. Titled champions – Taylor Fritz and Iga Svyatek.