Qualifier Anna Kalinskaya pulls off a remarkable upset by defeating world number one Iga Swiatek in a thrilling encounter at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The 25-year-old Russian showcased her composure and aggression to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory against the four-time Grand Slam champion in an intense match lasting one hour and 42 minutes.
Expressing her strategy, Kalinskaya remarked, “I knew if I didn’t stay calm and aggressive she would destroy me.”
She now advances to the final where she will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who secured her spot by defeating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-6 (8-6).
This remarkable journey makes Kalinskaya the first qualifier to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships final and the sixth-lowest ranked player to achieve this feat.
Notably, she defeated world number nine Jelena Ostapenko and world number three Coco Gauff on her way to the final showdown with Swiatek.
The final promises to be an intriguing contest, as Kalinskaya and Paolini, who met previously at the Australian Open in January, will compete for their maiden WTA 1000 title.
Kalinskaya emerged victorious in their previous encounter with a 6-4, 6-2 win in Melbourne.