Former finalist Kvitova knocked out of Australian Open by Ukraine’s Kalinina

The Ukrainian will meet either 20th seed Barbora Krejcikova or French qualifier Clara Burel

Anhelina Kalinina reacts during her second round match against Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova at the 2023 Australian Open

AI/Reuters/Panoramic

January 18, 2023

2019 Australian Open runner-up Petra Kvitova was knocked out of the 2023 edition by Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, of Ukraine, on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Kalinina won 7-5, 6-4 over the Czech woman in just under two hours on John Cain Arena as rain moved all matches indoors in Melbourne.

She's done it! In just her second #AusOpen appearance, Anhelina Kalinina reaches the third round – a career-best performance at a Grand Slam!

She defeated 2x Wimbledon champion and 2019 Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova 7-5 6-4#AO2023 pic.twitter.com/gIRiEEeBGl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2023

“I felt that she didn’t miss at all. She hit all the shots back to me, defending very well, moving very well, playing pretty fast as well,” Kvitova said in her post-match press conference. “It was really tough to find something how I could make it. I tried some slices, drop shots, but she was playing very, very well today. So, yeah, she deserved to win for sure. It was a good match for sure.”

Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champion and had started the season in good form, winning four of her five matches in the new year coming into the Australian Open.

The win moves Kalinina into the third round of a Grand Slam event for the first time and she will meet either 20th seed Barbora Krejcikova or French qualifier Clara Burel