Rybakina has 'good relationship' with final opponent Kalinina: "I've always tried to encourage her"

Elena Rybakina will face Anhelina Kalinina in the Rome Open final later today and she has a really good relationship with the player which makes the final more special.

Anhelina Kalinina and Elena Rybakina have a really good relationship according to the latter who is looking forward to facing her in the Rome Open final. An ethnic Russian, Rybakina knows many of the Ukrainians though the relationship between Russians and Ukrainians has gone cold since Russia invaded Ukraine. That's not the case for Rybakina and Kalinina who support each other and have a connection through Rybakina's coach.

Vukov used to work with Kalinina and now works with Rybakina. She revealed that following her Rome Open win over Ostapenko:

“I know she’s a very good person. In fact, she used to work with my coach. We have a good relationship, I’ve always tried to encourage her, just like when I win she always supports me. So I'm happy we're going to meet in the final”

The final is set for 19:00 CET today.