DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was shocked by qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-4 within the semifinals of the Dubai Championships on Friday.
Swiatek was up 4-2 when Kalinskaya broke straight again. Swiatek’s consistency started to abandon her and Kalinskaya rattled off 4 straight video games to take the primary set. Swiatek saved two match factors to interrupt for 5-3 within the second and had one other likelihood to interrupt for 5-5 however hit extensive.
Kalinskaya gave Swiatek her first straight-set loss in virtually a 12 months.
The primary qualifier to achieve the Dubai ultimate has defeated three top-10 gamers in a row, beginning with No. 9 Jelena Ostapenko, then No. 3 Coco Gauff for her first top-five win, then Swiatek of their first assembly.
The Fortieth-ranked Kalinskaya will play Twenty sixth-ranked Jasmine Paolini of Italy in Saturday’s ultimate. It’s the primary WTA ultimate for Kalinskaya and Paolini’s shot at a second title, simply her largest.
Kalinskaya mentioned the important thing to beating Swiatek was to remain calm but aggressive.
“I do know if I don’t keep calm and I don’t keep aggressive she goes to destroy me,” Kalinskaya mentioned in her on-court interview. “That was my plan, to remain aggressive and transfer her rather a lot. She’s unbelievable. I’m completely satisfied I had the prospect to play towards her.
“I really feel bodily a lot better than final 12 months. That provides me a number of confidence to play at such a excessive stage.”
The final qualifier to beat two high 3 gamers in a event was Amelie Mauresmo in 1998 in in Berlin with wins over Lindsay Davenport and Jana Novotna.
Paolini held off Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 7-6 (6) of their semifinal. She has overwhelmed three top-30 gamers in a row for the primary time. Paolini saved six set factors within the second set.
“I gave you a little bit little bit of drama on the finish of the match,” she mentioned on courtroom.
Paolini and Kalinskaya have one win towards one another. Kalinskaya beat Paolini only a month in the past within the Australian Open fourth spherical.
“Once I performed towards her in Australian Open, she was additionally returning actually deep and I couldn’t begin the purpose nicely,” Paolini mentioned. “She was actually additionally constant, not many errors.
“If you wish to beat her, I suppose you need to play deep and to attempt to don’t too many errors, but additionally to attempt to hit winners, to hit the ball, to push her away from the courtroom as a result of if not, she’s going to maneuver you.”
Reaching the ultimate has assured Paolini of a high 20 debut when the rankings are up to date on Monday. Kalinskaya will rise into the highest 30 for the primary time and will crack the highest 20 with the title.
