Big setback for Emma Raducanu, Russia's Anna Kalinskaya loses in Washington DC Open semi-finals
Washington DC Open: Kalinskaya, ranked 48th in the world rankings, two places below Raducanu, took advantage of a break in the ninth game to win the first set on Saturday. There were early breaks between the two in the second set, after which the 26-year-old Russian player once again took the lead and took a decisive lead. Then she broke again to seal the win.
Britain's Emma Raducanu was defeated 6-4, 6-3 by Russia's Anna Kalinskaya in the Washington Open semi-finals. The 22-year-old, whose US performance has guaranteed that she will be reclaiming her number one ranking in Britain from Katie Boulter, fired five aces early but failed to capitalize on any of her four break point chances.
Kalinskaya, the 48th-ranked player in the world, two positions behind Raducanu, capitalized on a pause during the ninth game to claim the first set on Saturday. The two exchanged breaks in the second set early before the 26-year-old Russian again took the lead and established a commanding lead. She then broke once more to wrap up the win.
Kalinskaya, who is aiming to win her first WTA 500 title, said, "It was an interesting match. It feels good to play against Emma. I am proud of myself. I was aggressive and stuck to my plan."
According to a BBC report, Kalinskaya will face Leylah Fernandez in Sunday's final, who defeated third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in a thrilling three-tie-break match. Fernandez, whom Raducanu beat to win her US Open title in 2021, won 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) in a match that lasted three hours and 12 minutes.
In the men's category, Australia's Alex de Minaur won the semi-finals 6-4, 6-3 over lucky loser Corentin Moutet of France. De Minaur will face Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final, who defeated 12th-seeded American player Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-5.
