Darya Kasatkina, the member of the EMPIRE Tennis Academy who is coached by Vladimir Platenik, is the winner of the 3rd ITF singles title in her career. She won the tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Kasatkina is very successful recently because she advanced to the semifinal just week ago in Plantation. In Daytona Beach, where $25K tournament was taking place, she beat Elise Mertens 6-2, 4-6, 6-0.
For Kasatkina who is training in EMPIRE Tennis Academy situated in Trnava, is this the 3rd ITF singles title after Sharm El Sheikh (10 000 USD) and Telavi (25 000 USD). "Not an easy final. I felt little bit tired in the second set and my opponent played better, but I pushed myself in the final set. It was very important. I'm very happy about this win. It was a very good tournament with strong opponents. I gained unbelievable experience," said Kasatkina for the www.tcempire.sk.

Her coach Vladimir Platenik was with Kasatkina during the beginning of the year in Florida. "Darya has very easy going nature and her playing style the opponents do not like. She is very good in changing the tempo of the game and she has good movement. But she wants to improve, she has respect for coach and she obeys him, what is very important. After the match, she can be also self-critical," says Vladimir Platenik about her after the win.

Success is also the result of autumn and winter training in the EMPIRE Tennis Academy in Trnava. "It helped her very much. The important part of the preparation was fitness training with Maros Molnar in cooperation with Darya's brother Alex, who is in Florida and has the important role as a fitness coach, too. I think the result is a well-deserved. Thanks to EMPIRE Tennis Academy for their support, without which this wouldn't be possible. I hope another win is waiting for us," added Platenik.

Kasatkina earned 50 WTA points and she will advance from No. 350 to approximately No. 265.

RESULTS, Daytona Beach
Darya KASATKINA (RUS)
1R: Laura POUS-TIO (ESP) [6] 6-4 6-2
2R: Lauren EMBREE (USA) 4-6 6-4 6-4
QF: Indy DE VROOME (NED) 6-2 7-5
SF: Sara Sorribes Tomo (ESP) 4-6 6-4 6-4
F: Elise MERTENS (BEL) 6-2, 4-6, 6-0

Photo with brother Alexander and the winning trophy