Kalinina takes down Kudermetova for maiden Masters final in Rome

Anhelina Kalinina produced a superb effort to take down Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 5-7 6-2 in the Rome Open semi-final to advance to her maiden WTA 100 final.

It was a very interesting final for many reasons as we had an Ukranian taking on a Russian. The Ukranian produced the better effort overall to win the match in three sets and it comes after playing a long match in the previous round. There was a lot of battling in the first set as she took the first break but then gave it right back.

She would break once more to finish off the first set 7-5 setting herself up for a great second set. She did play a really strong one taking an early break and holding it until it was time to serve out the set. At 5-4, Kalinina stepped up to book a spot in the final but got broken and it started a really good rally which finished with Kudermetova taking the set 7-5.

The final set was looking to be a really competitive one but it proved anything but as Kalinina stepped up and produced a superb level to smash Kudermetova 6-2 in the final booking the final. A great performance and a very deserving win.