Ukraine’s Kalinina wins topsy-turvy battle with Kudermetova in Rome to reach first WTA 1000 final

Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, the No 30 seed, beat Russian Veronika Kudermetova, the No 11 seed, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 in a topsy-turvy clash to reach her first WTA 1000 final at the Italian Open on Friday.

Kalinina, ranked No 47, will play Elena Rybakina, the No 7 seed, next. It’s just her second career final, having finished runner-up in Budapest in 2021.

The 26-year-old led by a set and 5-3 only for Kudermetova to win 16 straight points to level. But Kalinina rebounded brilliantly to advance to her first WTA 1000 final, following in the footsteps of former finalist Elina Svitolina.

“This is amazing feeling,” she said. “I’m battling, I go through, (that) I’m able to compete at this level, it’s new for me. I’m really happy with this.”

“I hope I give people a tiny light and something to enjoy”

Anhelina Kalinina

Kalinina did not shake the hand of Russian Kudermetova, because of the ongoing invasion of her country by Russia and said she hoped she had brought some joy to people at home.

“For me it’s also really important to win every match because what Ukraine goes through every day, I really hope I give people a tiny light and give them something to enjoy.”

Kalinina survives Kudermetova fightback

Kalinina needed two attempts to serve out the first set but when she opened up a 5-3 lead in the second set, the match seemed over.

That, though, was the signal for Kudermetova to open her shoulders and begin going for broke, and it worked incredibly, with 16 straight points taking the set and forcing it to a decider.

But Kalinina, after a quick break to change clothes, recovered her poise immediately, racing to a 4-0 and 5-1 lead and as the rain began to fall harder, she closed out the match in style.

It was her third straight three-set battle, having followed up wins against Russian Anna Blinkova (6-2, 6-2), American Sofia Kenin (6-4, 6-2) by taking out American Madison Keys, the No 19 seed (2-6, 6-2, 6-4) and Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No 12 seed (6-7 (2), 7-6 (6), 6-3) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Kudermetova, ranked No 12, won against Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz (7-5, 6-2), No 23 seed Anastasia Potapova (7-5, 3-6, 6-1), Czech Marie Bouzkova, the No 27 seed (6-2, 6-2) and Chinese Qinwen Zheng, the No 22 seed (3-6, 6-3, 6-4).

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