Anna KALINSKAYA shocks Iga SWIATEK in sensational performance, secures spot in Dubai final
WTAFriday, 23 February 2024 at 18:13
Anna
Kalinskaya achieved a stunning victory over Iga Swiatek, winning 6-4, 6-4 at
the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The Russian player decoded her
opponent's serve and displayed effective baseline play to surprise the world
No. 1.
Swiatek
entered the match after a good win against Qinwen Zheng (No. 7) and had won 25
of her last 26 matches. On the other hand, Kalinskaya progressed from the
qualifiers, securing victories over world No. 9 Jelena Ostapenko in the round
of 16 and Coco Gauff (No. 3) in the quarterfinals.
In the
first set, Swiatek had a good first-serve percentage at 64%, winning 67% of
those points. However, when playing with the second serve, she only managed to
score 25% of the points, as Kalinskaya's return became practically unstoppable
when well-positioned on the court.
Despite
this, the four-times Grand Slam champion took the lead in the sixth game after
five break points in her favor, establishing a 4-2 advantage in a closely
contested match. Kalinskaya maintained her momentum, immediately breaking back.
The Russian secured a consecutive series of games with a new break, ultimately
winning the set 6-4 in 53 minutes.
In the
second set, Kalinskaya led with a good first-serve percentage and again
capitalized on Swiatek's second serves to take the initiative. An early break
quickly propelled Kalinskaya to a 2-0 lead, and she managed to maintain the
advantage throughout the set. The Russian was 5-2 ahead with a double break,
holding two match points to close out the match, but couldn't convert them.
Read also
Towards the
end, there was a resurgence from the world No. 1 who, after saving match
points, secured a break to bring the match to 5-4. Despite facing a break point
to level at 5-5, Kalinskaya did not allow the match to extend further and
ultimately secured the victory at 6-4, 6-4, ending Swiatek's winning streak,
who was the recent champion at the Qatar Open.
In 2024,
Kalinskaya has demonstrated a significant improvement in her tennis, reaching
the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Now, she adds a first-ever final
appearance in a WTA 1000 event. In the decisive match, she will face Italian
player Jasmine Paolini, who defeated Sorana Cirstea in straight sets.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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