Anna Kalinskaya Dismantles Emma Raducanu’s Hopes with Commanding Semi-Final Victory in Washington…Read More…
What was expected to be a tightly contested semi-final clash at the Mubadala Citi DC Open turned into a one-sided showcase of dominance as Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya outclassed British star Emma Raducanu in straight sets, booking her place in the final with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Played under humid summer skies in the U.S. capital, the match drew a buzzing crowd eager to witness the resurgence of Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, who has been steadily climbing back into form after several injury-plagued seasons. However, Kalinskaya had other plans. With a ruthless display of clean, precise, and unrelenting tennis, she put an abrupt halt to Raducanu’s dream run.
A Ruthless Start
From the first game, Kalinskaya made her intentions clear. She broke Raducanu in her opening service game with a blistering forehand return and never looked back. The Russian controlled the tempo, stepping into the court with confidence and using her powerful groundstrokes to push Raducanu off balance.
Kalinskaya’s first serve proved to be a major weapon throughout the match. Landing nearly 80% of her first serves in the opening set, she kept Raducanu on the defensive, winning 88% of points behind her first serve. The Brit, in contrast, struggled to find rhythm, winning just 57% of her first-serve points and frequently being forced into errors.
The first set lasted only 34 minutes and ended 6-2 in Kalinskaya’s favor, with Raducanu appearing shell-shocked by the Russian’s intensity.
Second Set Fightback Falls Short
To her credit, Raducanu started the second set with more resolve. She held serve confidently in her opening game and even pushed Kalinskaya to deuce in the third game. For a brief moment, the crowd sensed a shift in momentum. But just when it looked like Raducanu might claw her way back, Kalinskaya shut the door.
At 3-3, Kalinskaya elevated her game once more, pouncing on a pair of loose shots from Raducanu to earn a crucial break. She consolidated it with a love hold, then broke once more to close out the match emphatically.
In total, Kalinskaya hit 24 winners to Raducanu’s 13 and committed just 11 unforced errors compared to the Brit’s 21. The Russian’s tactical discipline, particularly her deep returns and willingness to take time away from Raducanu, proved too much for the 21-year-old Brit to handle.
Post-Match Reaction
Speaking after the match, Kalinskaya expressed satisfaction with her performance and composure.
“I knew Emma was playing well this week, and I had to bring my best tennis,” Kalinskaya said. “I stuck to my game plan, stayed aggressive but smart, and I’m really happy with how I executed everything today.”
For Raducanu, it was a disappointing end to an otherwise encouraging week in Washington, where she had scored notable wins over top-seeded players including Leylah Fernandez and Caroline Garcia.
“Anna played incredibly well today,” Raducanu admitted in her post-match press conference. “She didn’t give me anything easy. I was struggling to find my rhythm and timing, but I’ve taken a lot of positives from this week overall. I’m on the right path.”
A Breakout Moment for Kalinskaya
This semi-final win marks a significant moment in Kalinskaya’s career. While long considered a talented player with top-20 potential, she has often struggled with consistency and injuries. Now, with a shot at the biggest title of her career just one win away, the 25-year-old Russian looks ready to finally make her mark on the WTA Tour.
Kalinskaya has won over fans in Washington with her calm on-court demeanor and fearless ball-striking. If she maintains this level of performance, she could be a serious threat during the North American hardcourt swing leading up to the US Open.
What’s Next?
Kalinskaya will face either Madison Keys or Elina Svitolina in the final, both of whom bring their own challenges. Keys, with her explosive power and home crowd support, could offer a very different dynamic. Svitolina, on the other hand, is a defensive wall who thrives on disrupting aggressive opponents’ rhythm.
For Raducanu, the focus will now shift to the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters — critical events in the build-up to the US Open. With her ranking improving and her confidence gradually rebuilding, the tennis world is watching to see if she can once again recapture the magic of 2021.
Final Thoughts
While this loss will sting for Raducanu, it is also a reminder of the incredible depth in women’s tennis today. Anna Kalinskaya’s performance was nothing short of clinical — a masterclass in aggression and control. For now, the spotlight shines brightly on the Russian as she eyes the biggest triumph of her career.
If her level holds in the final, the DC crowd could very well witness the crowning of a new champion ready to disrupt the established order on the WTA Tour.
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