After the match an elated Kasatkina, ranked 75th in the world, said she couldn't have asked for a better start to the year.
5.20pm
The first of the ASB Classic's key drawcards is through to the second round.
After a shaky start Caroline Wozniacki looked much more composed in the second set, overcoming the determined Danka Kovinic of Montenegro.
The only hiccup for Wozniacki came late in the set when, at 5-3 up at serving for the match, she let Kovinic back in with a sniff with a couple of unforced errors.
But just as the crowd were beginning to prepare themselves for another lengthy arm wrestle, Wozniacki immediately broke back to seal the match.
Next up on centre court two-time defending champion Venus Williams is set to take on Russia's Daria Kasatkina.
4.30pm
There's been a few scares early on for one of the tournament's main drawcards.
Caroline Wozniacki, the first of the "big three" in action on centre court today, looked in all sorts of trouble early in the opening set against world number 57 Danka Kovinic.
In a bizarre start, the former world number one dropped the first four games before charging back to take the opening set 6-4.
3.30pm
What a game! After almost three hours, Tamira Paszek has finally prevailed over Francesca Schiavone in their first round battle. The Austrian qualifier nailed a backhand winner down the line to ice a 7-6 (4) 4-6 6-3 over the Italian veteran. It may be the last time we see Schiavone at Stanley Street, as the former French Open champion is tipped to retire at the end of this year.
3.10pm
Barbora Strycova has made a winning start to the 2016 ASB Classic, beating qualifier Kiki Bertens 6-2 6-4 on the grandstand court. The Czech was the surprise packet of last year's tournament, making a run to the semi-finals before a three set loss to top seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Meanwhile the marathon between Francesca Schiavone and Tamira Paszek continues on centrecourt. Schiavone, who has featured in several long matches throughout her career has broken back in the third set and the match is back on serve.
1.55pm
A potential boilover may be on the cards in the first-up match on centre court on day two of the ASB Classic.
Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone is locked in a tense battle with qualifier Tamira Paszek of Austria.
Paszek, ranked 172 in the world, claimed the first set 7-6 (4) after an inconsistent start from the Italian veteran, who has lashed out on a couple of occasions following unforced errors.
It was a different story on the outside courts, with the two quickfire wins to open the day session. Germany's Julia Goerges, a regular attendee of the Auckland tournament, made fast work of Lucie Hradecka (CZE).
LISTEN
• Radio Sport's Matt Brown with Julia Goerges after her win
Although just three places separate the pair in the world rankings, Goerges looked in control throughout, blitzing Hradecka 6-0 6-3.
American Christina McHale also posted a straight sets victory in her opening round match, dispatching Japan's Misaki Doi 6-2 6-4 in just over an hour.
LISTEN
• Radio Sport's Matt Brown with Christina McHale
12:15pm
There's already a sizeable crowd building at Stanley Street, ahead of one of the most star-studded schedules in ASB Classic history. 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone is on court first, up against Austrian qualifier Tamira Paszek, followed by Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams. Ana Ivanovic headlines the evening session, followed by local hope Marina Erakovic.
Schiavone (world No114) is a two time semi finalist here but was knocked out in the first round last year by a qualifier. The Italian is in the twilight of her career, and finished outside the top 100 last year for the first time since 1999.
Pascek (world No177) reached the semi finals here in 2007 - losing to eventual winner Lindsay Davenport - but hasn't progressed beyond the first round since then.
- Michael Burgess
