Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) won the WTA 1000 Rome Open for the first time in her career. The 7th-seeded Kazakhstani tennis player won over Anhelina Kalinina (Ukraine) after 6:4, 1:0 and withdraw of her opponent due to a left hip injury.
Elena Rybakina overcame a 1:3 deficit in the first set, turning over with breaks in the sixth and tenth games to close the set at 6:4. She was leading 1:0 in the second set, when Anhelina Kalinina decided to end her participation in the match.
“I’m happy with the title, but not with the way the final match ended. Anhelina Kalinina achieved great results here, went through a lot of tough battles. I’m happy for her progress. I hope she can continue in the same way. It’s a shame, that she was not able to finish the match. I hope it’s not something serious and she will recover quickly”, said Elena Rybakina after the match.
Elena Rybakina earned her fifth career title and second WTA 1000 title of the season after Indian Wells Open, and with her victory she also secured a career-high fourth place in the world rankings.
“I’m proud to be able to maintain such a high level. It’s not easy with all this travel and matches. I think my whole team and I are doing well. You can see my development on the court, also physically. I think we are on the right track”, said the 23-year-old Elena Rybakina after her 28th win in 35 bouts in the season so far. By reaching the final, Anhelina Kalinina also secured a record ranking in the WTA ranking, in which she will occupy the 25th place starting tomorrow.
“I think I was at the edge of my physical capabilities, especially today. I started well, but after 2-3 games I just felt like I couldn’t do it anymore. I tried, but it was absolutely impossible. Still, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in the last two weeks. I fought in all kinds of results, in all kinds of situations against different opponents and weather conditions. The draw was serious and they were all very tough opponents”, said the Ukrainian tennis player Anhelina Kalinina.
