"She told me we are gonna meet in final": Anna Kalinskaya's coach told Jasmine Paolini in 'crazy' prediction prior to shock Dubai final
WTA
Jasmine
Paolini revealed that Anna Kalinskaya's coach predicted they would play in the
final of the Dubai Duty Tennis Free Championships. The Italian had a dream week
and claimed her first WTA 1000, the most significant title of her career, after
defeating the Russian 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
An unlikely
final between two unseeded players, few could have predicted it. Kalinskaya had
an impeccable path, defeating the 9th seed Jelena Ostapenko, then the 3rd seed
Coco Gauff, and the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.
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On the
Italian side, Paolini also managed to eliminate the seeded players Beatriz
Haddad Maia (11th) and Maria Sakkari (8th), in addition to benefiting from a
walkover before her match with Elena Rybakina (4th).
After
winning the title, Paolini mentioned that a few days earlier, she had an
interaction with Kalinskaya's coach, Patricia Tarabini, and that the Argentine
told her that both would reach the final, even though there were still several
favorites in the draw.
"Congrats
to Anna [Kalinskaya]," Paolini said. "You played an unbelievable week
from qualifying. You’re doing an amazing job with Patricia. One of the nicest
coaches on tour, I have to say."
"I’ll
tell you something. Before the quarterfinals, I met Patricia and she told me we
are gonna meet in the final. I was like 'Are you crazy?' And we meet in the
final. Unbelievable," the new world No. 14 added.
The
28-year-old tennis player played an outstanding match and capitalized on
Kalinskaya's uncertainties when she had the chance to seal the match. Paolini
was a break down in the second and third sets, but managed a comeback, where
even Kalinskaya was serving at 5-4 with the opportunity to win the title:
"It's
special to have this trophy in my hands. Was such a great tournament. Every
player was here. Yeah, was really, really tough draw. I'm just happy,"
Jasmine Paolini concluded.
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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