Elena Rybakina Anhelina Kalininia became WTA Italian Open champion after retiring from an injury in the second set of the final in Rome.
Kalininia started off tremendously, breaking Rybakina after a few double rallies.
However, the Kazakh started to show his quality and responded with his own timeout in game six, breaking again in game 10, capturing the opening set.
Rybakina started the second set with a convincing grip and Kalininia sat down to talk to her doctor, and after a very quick consultation, the players shook hands giving the 2022 Wimbledon champion her biggest title on dirt, which will put her in fourth place. WTA rankings on Monday.
After his opponent retired, Rybakina had won the tournament for the second time. Iga Swiatek He had to retire in the quarterfinals.
Rybakina said from the sideline after the win: “I want to wish Kalininia a speedy recovery because she is a really good friend of mine and I am really happy with all her results. She did a good job and I hope she can recover for the French Open.
“Many thanks to the crowd and everyone who stayed and watched till the end. It wasn’t easy for us, but it wasn’t easy for you with all the rain today, so thank you very much for your support.”
Kalininia said, “I’m really sorry I couldn’t play. I was trying my best but of course it’s a sport and I want to congratulate Elena for everything you’ve done, not just for this title, but for everything you’ve done, starting with Wimbledon this year, it’s really inspiring and I hope it’s a I can come to your level one day. The best good luck for the season, stay healthy and reach your goals.
Holger Rune will fight for a chance to win his second ATP Masters 1000 title. Danil Medvedev For the Italian Open title after beating Casper Ruud from behind.
Making his Rome debut, the Dane was in a set and came from a slump to beat fourth-seeded Ruud 6-7(2) 6-4, 6-2 after knocking out world number one Novak Djokovic before. quarterfinals.
Medvedev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 and 7-5 to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 clay-court championship game despite being hit by rain twice, with the game starting around 4:30 p.m. local time and ending more than five hours later.
The two will face each other in the final on Sunday afternoon.
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