Kalinina reaches final after epic win over Kudermetova

Anhelina Kalinina managed to defeat Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 and reach the final of Italian Open on Friday.

It is the biggest achievement of her career and it is no surprise she dedicated the win to her war-torn homeland.

“I was feeling so much support,” Kalinina added later. “The whole stadium was cheering me up. … I have never experienced something like that.”

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While Kudermetova had the more efficient serve — nine aces to Kalinina’s two — Kalinina was able to extend points with precision around the red clay court, notably running down a drop shot and replying with a delicate lob winner midway through the second set.

Kalinina also dictated points by stepping further into the court than Kudermetova to find sharper angles.

She will face either Elena Rybakina or the 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.