Ukrainian tennis player Angelina Kalinina (WTA 47) reached the finals of the WTA 1000 soil tournament in Rome (Italy).

In the semi-final match, the Ukrainian won in three sets. Veronica Kudermetova (WTA 12) is racing without a flag in 2 hours 55 minutes.

WTA 1000 Rome. Preparation 1/2 final

Veronika Kudermetova [11] – Angelina Kalinina (Ukraine) [30] – 5:7, 7:5, 2:6

It was evident from the first minutes of the match that Angelina was completely rested after a 4-hour marathon with Beatriz Haddad Maia in the quarterfinals. At the beginning of the first game, Kudermetova served well, as expected, this cannot be said for Kalinina. Until the 8th game, the Ukrainian player had problems in the service.

In the 3rd game, Angelina scored twice and left the service at 15:30. In match 3, the Ukrainian apparently failed to notice a breaking point, which partially affected his confidence. Angelina got 3 break points in the 4th game and 5 in the 6th game, but she saved everything and managed to keep the score.

Settling down nicely in his first career WTA 1000 semi-finals 😌@angie_kalinina | #IBI23 pic.twitter.com/zT1jT3rLno

— wta (@WTA) 19 May 2023

In the seventh game, Angelina took a break and began to determine the course of the game herself. Realizing that Kudermetova was playing poorly enough on the second ball, she began to take the serve more accurately and pull the rallies in her favor.

In game 8, Angelina finally calmly spent her game on the serve and took a 5:3 lead. But it was not possible to immediately turn off the Russian woman. After Angelina served, Kudermetova timed out and the score was 5:5. Veronika immediately took the lead with 30:0 in the 11th match, but… Kalinina won 4 points in a row, one of which was in the super rally at 15:30, and then went into the match!

Giving everything to secure the first Rome final ⚡#IBI23 | @WTA | @angie_kalinina pic.twitter.com/afa2Fa2TqG

— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) 19 May 2023

Kudermetova looked lost. Yet how many times did Kalinina kick the ball over the Russians when she went to the net? Presumably, Veronica wouldn’t lose a rally that way, even in doubles matches. The coach and husband of the tennis player from 404 did not even begin to suggest anything to Kudermetova when she gestured towards boxing. All She could give was: “I don’t know what you want, look for the questions yourself.” Well, several times he tried to cheer up his wife with “kamons”, but Angelina could no longer be stopped.

In the second set, Angelina saved a breaking point in game 4 and went to the ball… Guess how? Right! Throwing Kudermetov again! And then Angelina took a break from 0:30 and then successfully served, leading 4:2, looking at the Ukrainian fans, shouting “kamon” and feeling the taste of the impending victory.

He gives EVERYTHING he has 💯@angie_kalinina | #IBI23 pic.twitter.com/cJAEhQIVQ2

— wta (@WTA) 19 May 2023

The tennis players quietly won 2 games each and Angelina went to serve for the match. Easy, as expected, it didn’t work. But above all it shocked me. The Ukrainian lost 12 points in a row: dropped his serve under 0, lost under 0 at reception and flew under 0 in the 12th game. And in total the Ukrainian lost 16 points in a row, losing the 9th match without luck. This very imminent victory, as it turned out in the end – walked away with 8 matches.

Angelina took a toilet break (5 minutes), changed her clothes, revealed her emotions (which can be seen on her face as she left the room under the stands), went to court, got a 40:0 lead at the reception and played a match. A time-out is given at the start of the third set from the 4th break point.

It’s unclear what happened at the end of the second set, but it doesn’t matter. Angelina again believed in herself, again began to fly on the field, and as a result – 4:0! It was not possible to take a break for the 3rd time in a row and stay 6-0, but this is not very important either. Kalinina did not lose, plus or minus calmly took her serve, the score was 5:1, Kudermetova the serve was 5:2 (four times the score was 40:40, but without breaking points), but there was no return and this could not happen. Kalinina went to the service and dispersed Kudermetova! 6:2 and the much desired finale!

With such a game from a Ukrainian, it is quite possible to count on a title. Angelina is pleased with her consistency in draw, confidence, fighting spirit, not the strongest, but accurate and smart tennis!

It was the third meeting of tennis players. Angelina won the 2nd duel.

For the first time in her career, Kalinina will play the final at the WTA 1000 tournament level. Her victory over the 12th racket of the world is Angelina’s highest-rated victory in her career.

In the thousandth cup match in the capital of Italy, the Ukrainian will play with the winner of the match Elena Rybakina – Alena Ostapenko.

BIGGEST win of his career so far 🙌@angie_kalinina He beat Kudermetova in Rome to reach his first ever WTA 1000 final!#IBI23 pic.twitter.com/7Ux7m703lh

— wta (@WTA) 19 May 2023

a breakthrough for @angie_kalinina 💥

Waiting for the winner of Rybakina-Ostapenko #IBI23 end!

— wta (@WTA) 19 May 2023

✨ In Rome 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆! ✨

world no. 47 Anhelina Kalinina will play first @WTA 1000 finals after beating Veronika Kudermetova in a rollercoaster match!#IBI23 | @Reale_Mutua | #YourNextLevel pic.twitter.com/N7x8SBAYJO

— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) 19 May 2023