"I really hope that I give a small light and some positive emotions for my country" 💙💛@angie_kalinina | #IBI23 pic.twitter.com/q3sqdTKxmS
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- "I really hope that I give a small light and some positive emotions for my country" 💙💛 @angie_kalinina | #IBI23
- Amid Ukraine crisis, Anhelina Kalinina delivers hope in Rome Anhelina Kalinina has offered Ukraine a brief moment of comfort. Reaching the finals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, she is well aware of what her success means to her home country.
- Everything you need to know about the 2023 Rome final (WTA). No.6 Elena Rybakina will face No.47 Anhelina Kalinina for the title at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Here's what's at stake on Saturday at the Foro Italico.
- H2H: Ruud vs Hune. 4-0 Ruud.
- Six memorable Rafael Nadal Grand Slam finals.
- Nick Kyrgios to miss French Open due to foot injury from robbery, manager says.
- 'Another league': Nadal's first French Open opponent recalls 18 years on.
- Analysis: Rafael Nadal might never play again; he also might surprise us and win something.
- Ukraine's Kalinina outduels Russia's Kudermetova to reach Rome final.
- Rybakina to clash with Kalinina in Rome final.
05/19/2023
"I really hope that I give a small light and some positive emotions for my country" 💙💛 @angie_kalinina | #IBI23
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Amid Ukraine crisis, Anhelina Kalinina delivers hope in Rome Anhelina Kalinina has offered Ukraine a brief moment of comfort. Reaching the finals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, she is well aware of what her success means to her home country.
ROME -- Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina had a message for her embattled home country after she advanced to the final of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
"It’s really important to win every match, because of what Ukraine goes through," Kalinina told the crowd at the Foro Italico. "I really hope that I give a tiny, small light, maybe some positive emotions for my country. I really hope that Ukraine a little bit enjoys [this].”
Kalinina, a 26-year-old Ukrainian, has emerged as the lowest-ranked Rome finalist in more than 35 years. The World No.47 has come through a series of challenging matches. She defeated former No.4 Sofia Kenin in the third round, then dug deep to knock off 30th seed Madison Keys, No.12 Beatriz Haddad Maia and No.11 Veronika Kudermetova in three sets.
Her win against Haddad Maia was the longest match of the season, clocking in at 3 hours and 41 minutes.
Remarkably, Kalinina has achieved all this while processing the news that her family in Kyiv continues to face danger. After the match, she shared with reporters the unsettling news that a bomb had exploded near the Kyiv academy where her parents serve as tennis coaches.
"Yeah, near the tennis court," she said. "We have an academy, [then] maybe 300 meters [there is an] airport, and [now] there is no airport. This is how they live."
Kalinina has been persistently faced with the impact of war since the Russian invasion began last spring. Last year, a Russian assault left her parents' home in ruins. Currently, her hometown of Nova Kakhovka is under the occupation of Russian troops. Her grandparents, along with the entire family, have now relocated to Kyiv.
"I have no connections with Nova Kakhovka anymore because everyone is in Kyiv," she said. "I'm super happy because it's absolutely impossible to stay, to live [there], because there was so many weapons, so many soldiers near my grandmother and grandfather's house. It was absolutely not possible to live, to stay.
"They are very old people. So for them, it was very tough to make this decision to move from that city. They're living 60 years there. We kind of pushed them, like, 'You have to go.' When the bomb came directly to their house, it was a couple of meters left, not exactly in their apartment, but left. They kind of wake up and realize, 'Oh, my God, yeah, we have to move.'"
Since the beginning of the war, Kalinina has used her earnings to offer support and aid to as many Ukrainians as she can. By making Saturday's final, she's guaranteed herself a prize money check of at least €272,000.
Kalinina says she has been moved by the vocal crowd support she has received from the Italian crowd all tournament.
"I don't remember where I was playing [but] almost for me it was like the whole stadium was cheering me up," Kalinina said. "It's kind of amazing feeling. I have never experienced something like that. They bring so much energy to fight when you don't even have energy to do that.
"From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every person who was in the stadium from the first match till hopefully tomorrow I will have another match. Thanks for them. They kind of motivated me and they give me much more energy to fight."
https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3445015/amid-ukraine-crisis-anhelina-kalinina-delivers-hope-in-rome
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Everything you need to know about the 2023 Rome final (WTA). No.6 Elena Rybakina will face No.47 Anhelina Kalinina for the title at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Here's what's at stake on Saturday at the Foro Italico.
ROME -- The Internazionali BNL d'Italia final is set for Saturday. Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will face first-time WTA-1000 finalist Anhelina Kalinina for one of the biggest clay-court titles on tour.
No.6 Rybakina has a chance to cement herself as a short-list favorite for the French Open by winning her second WTA 1000 of the season.
No.47 Kalinina could make history as the lowest-ranked Rome champion in over 35 years if can finish off her Cinderella run.
Here's what you need to know ahead of Saturday's showdown:
When is the women's singles final?
The singles final is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
The doubles final between top seeds Coco Gauff/Jessica Pegula and Storm Hunter/Elise Mertens will follow the singles final.
What are the points and prize-money at stake?
By virtue of making the Rome final, Rybakina and Kalinina have assured themselves at least 650 points and €272,200. Saturday's champion will walk away with 1000 points and €521,754.
How did Rybakina and Kalinina get here?
Seeded No.7 in Rome, Rybakina advanced to her third WTA 1000 final of the season and fourth final overall with wins over Jasmine Paolini, Anna Kalinskaya, Marketa Vondrousova, No.1 Iga Swiatek and 20th seed Jelena Ostpaenko. Her wins over Kalinskaya and Swiatek came via retirement, with Kalinskaya bowing out in the first set after seven games, while Swiatek retired at 2-2 in the third set.
Rybakina has now made four finals this season, finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and Miami and winning Indian Wells. Since the introduction of the WTA-1000 format in 2009, Rybakina is the third player to make the final in Indian Wells, Miami and Rome in the same season, joining Maria Sharapova in 2012 and Swiatek in 2022.
Seeded No.30, Kalinina has earned wins against Anna Blinkova, Sofia Kenin, 30th seed Madison Keys, No 12 Beatriz Haddad Maia and No.11 Veronika Kudermetova. Kalinina won her last three matches in three sets, with her 3-hour and 41-minute duel against Haddad Maia clocking in as the longest match of the season.
What milestones are at stake on Saturday?
Rybakina is bidding to win her fifth title on the Hologic WTA Tour and her second on clay. She won her first WTA title on clay in Bucharest in 2019. A victory would net her a second WTA 1000 title this season, which would lead the tour.
2023 WTA 1000 Champions:
- Dubai: Barbora Krejcikova d. Iga Swiatek
- Indian Wells: Elena Rybakina d. Aryna Sabalenka
- Miami: Petra Kvitova d. Elena Rybakina
- Madrid: Aryna Sabalenka d. Iga Swiatek
Rybakina came into the tournament ranked No.6 but has assured herself a Top 5 debut on Monday. If she wins the title, she will rise to No.4 and earn a Top 4 seed at Roland Garros.
Kalinina is bidding to win her first WTA title. Her initial breakthrough came in Budapest in 2021. Both of these runs have been on clay courts.
Ranked No.47, Kalinina could become the lowest-ranked player to win the final at the Italian Open since Raffaella Reggi in 1985. By making the final, she assured herself a new career-high ranking on Monday. She will rise to No.13 with the title and No.15 as runner-up.
How do they stack up?
Rybakina and Kalinina have played just once. That match came last year on the green clay in Charleston. Kalinina won 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
What are they saying?
Rybakina: "I came [to Rome] without any expectation because I knew the other years were really tough for me coming and play here. Maybe for some people, rain is not good. I guess for my allergies it went the other way. It's helping me a bit to feel better here.
"I'm just happy that I got so many matches now before French Open."
Kalinina: "Didn't expect this. I was playing match by match. Yeah, it went to the final. Unbelievable."
Kalinina: "It just didn't go [my way] in Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Madrid. I'm just saying I was losing second, third round, even first. But now it went through.
"Yeah, it's tennis. This is sport. I respect everyone. It can go both ways. I appreciate the moment that it goes my way now."
Rybakina: "She's a really good person. Actually, she used to work with my coach. We just have a good relationship. I'm always cheering for her also. Same, whenever I win, she's always supporting me. We have a good relationship.
"Yeah, I'm happy that we're going to play final."
https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3445040/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2023-rome-final
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H2H: Ruud vs Hune. 4-0 Ruud.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Casper Ruud | |
| 2022 | ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Casper Ruud | |
| 2021 | Bastad Sweden |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Casper Ruud | |
| 2021 | ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R64 | Casper Ruud |
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Six memorable Rafael Nadal Grand Slam finals.
Rafael Nadal on Thursday withdrew from the French Open and announced that 2024 will likely be his last season in tennis after a career which has brought him 22 Grand Slam titles.
AFP Sport recalls six of the Spaniard's greatest Slam finals:
2005 French Open
Nadal bt Mariano Puerta 6-7 (7/6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5
-- The one that started it all.
Nadal came in as an 18-year-old left-hander on the rise, with a huge top-spin forehand and expectations to match.
He won all three clay-court lead-up tournaments, in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome and there was a buzz growing around Nadal as he took to court in a sleeveless shirt, prowling like a young matador.
He blasted through the draw taking out Richard Gasquet, Sebastien Grosjean and David Ferrer.
But the real test came in the semi-final against world number one Roger Federer. The pair had never met on clay.
It was Nadal's 19th birthday and he won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Little-known Puerta of Argentina, ranked 37, was dispatched in a four-set final and Nadal would not lose another match on the Paris clay until 2009.
2008 Wimbledon
Nadal bt Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (7/5), 6-7 (10/8), 9-7
-- A match that is widely remembered as one of the greatest tennis matches of all time, it went to Nadal after an incredible four hours, 48 minutes of action.
Scheduled for a 2pm start, the final began late because of rain, had two more rain delays, and ended in light so bad that the Hawk-Eye line-calling system had ceased to work.
Federer clawed back a two-set deficit and saved two match points in the fourth set to take it the distance.
The sheer quality of tennis was like nothing seen before until Federer finally erred, finding the net at 9:21 pm to hand Nadal, who fell on his back onto the grass in relief, his first Wimbledon triumph.
2009 Australian Open
Nadal bt Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-2
-- Nadal again came out on top against Federer, this time in a five-set, four-and-a-half-hour thriller.
Unbelievably, the match started less than 24 hours after Nadal had been extended to five hours and 14 minutes in beating countryman Fernando Verdasco in a five-set semi-final.
Nadal's incredible feat of recovery and stamina delayed Federer from tying Pete Sampras's then record of 14 Grand Slam titles, and also gave Nadal his first Australian Open.
2012 Australian Open
Nadal lost to Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5
-- One of four Australian Open final defeats for Nadal, but a true epic that will be forever etched in the memory.
The match was the ultimate test of endurance and skill as it unfolded over five hours and 53 minutes of tennis of the highest quality between the world number one Djokovic and second-ranked Nadal.
When it finally ended at 1:37 am Monday local time -- the longest Grand Slam final in history -- both players were almost out on their feet.
The pair traded brutal blows all night -- one energy-draining 31-shot rally caused Djokovic to fall at the end and Nadal to tumble over the sidelines.
"This one was very special," Nadal said. "Not because I lost, no, because of the way that we played."
During the trophy presentation, both players needed to sit down. They were totally exhausted.
2013 US Open
Nadal bt Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
-- Nadal had seven months out to rest his creaking, injured knees, missing the 2012 US Open and 2013 Australian Open. But he took the world of tennis by storm on his return.
The Spaniard won 60 of 64 matches, 22 of them on hard courts not thought to favour the "King of Clay", lifted 10 titles, two of them Grand Slams (French Open, US Open) and registered his sixth win over Djokovic in seven matches.
Again the quality of the tennis was that of dreams.
One rally lasted for 54 shots -- 20 more than any other in the tournament -- as Nadal won in three hours and 21 minutes of pulsating action.
2022 Australian Open
Nadal bt Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5
-- The 35-year-old Nadal claimed a 21st Slam title with a stunning comeback against Medvedev.
He became the first man in the Open era to win the Australian Open from two sets down, and also saved three break points in the third set.
Medvedev said Nadal's performance was "unreal" after coming out second-best in a gruelling match which lasted five hours and 24 minutes.
It was the second time Nadal had defeated Medvedev in a major final, after another five-set epic went his way in New York in 2019.
https://sports.yahoo.com/six-memorable-rafael-nadal-grand-023011836.html
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Nick Kyrgios to miss French Open due to foot injury from robbery, manager says.
Nick Kyrgios has had a bad year, and now he will miss the French Open.
The Australian player's manager, Daniel Horsfall, told The Canberra Times that his client won't make the trip to Roland Garros due to a cut on his foot that he sustained during an armed robbery at his home May 1.
The alleged robbery reportedly saw a man threaten Kyrgios' mother with a gun and steal his Tesla. After the incident, Kyrgios reportedly realized he had cut his foot while trying to help his family and track down the suspect.
The cut turned out to be a serious problem for Kyrgios on the court and has been slow to heal, preventing him from ramping up his on-court training over the past few weeks. Kyrgios underwent knee surgery in January, and his recovery was reportedly going well until the cut.
From the Times:
"We needed to be at a point that he could comfortably play five sets. Right when we were getting stuck into the loading period, the [alleged] armed robbery happened at his house. During the ordeal, he cut his foot quite badly.
"We don't know when it happened, but it's quite a large laceration. The location of the wound, it's been open for almost a week and a half now. It's not healing correctly, and he can't put in the work on court, so he's been off court for almost two weeks now.
"His knee is fine, it's just that he can't get his loading up so we can manage the rest of his body correctly and he doesn't injure something else when he gets out there."
Kyrgios addressed the news with a tweet.
The French Open, which also had Rafael Nadal withdraw Thursday, is scheduled to begin May 28.
The 28-year-old Kyrgios had already missed the Australian Open after that knee injury forced him to withdraw the day before he was scheduled to begin play. He has not played an ATP-sanctioned event since October.
In addition to his injury woes, Kyrgios' grandmother died earlier this week, as he announced on Instagram with the caption "Seems like I can’t catch a break right now…… RIP Yiayia, the best we could ask for. Go enjoy your time with Papou now."
Kyrgios also pleaded guilty in February to assaulting an ex-girlfriend but had the charge dismissed without conviction by a judge in Australia.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-kyrgios-to-miss-french-open-due-to-foot-injury-from-robbery-manager-says-193100290.html
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'Another league': Nadal's first French Open opponent recalls 18 years on.
When Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that injury would prevent him taking part in this year's French Open for the first time in 19 years, it triggered bitter sweet memories for Lars Burgsmuller, his first ever opponent at Roland Garros.
Back in 2005, when Nadal's remarkable 14 titles on the Parisian clay were still in the future, the German faced the Mallorca native in the first round.
Burgsmuller, then aged 29 and the world number 96, lost 6-1, 7-6, 6-1, but pushed 18-year-old Nadal to a tiebreak in the second set.
The German, who had already played Nadal the year before at Indian Wells when he was just 17, losing 6-2, 6-3, told AFP he "was not so enthusiastic" when he found out who he would face.
"Let's just say I'd heard from all sides that he was the next big thing," Burgsmuller, 47, said from his home in Essen, where he now works as a radiologist.
"Of course, at such a big tournament you hope for an easier draw, especially at the beginning.
"At the moment when I lost the match, you can see why I wasn't so excited."
The German said that while he was disappointed with the outcome at the time, he realised he was witnessing something special in the making.
"You have to acknowledge without any envy that he just somehow plays in another league," Burgsmuller said.
He counts the memory alongside his matches against Roger Federer and his Wimbledon clash with Andre Agassi as career highlights, alongside his win at the ATP event in Copenhagen 2002.
In the 17 years since their meeting, Nadal has amassed those record 14 French Open titles and lost only three of 115 matches.
Although he was convinced of the Spaniard's talent, he admits to being surprised Nadal went on to win the tournament at his first attempt.
"I felt that he was playing well and would have a great future, but that he would go from 0 to 100 so quickly and win the French Open, I honestly did not expect that.
"I don't know if he expected it himself or if anyone else did."
- 'Full throttle' -
Burgsmuller said Nadal gave "full throttle" from start to finish in their match.
"It makes no difference whether it's 0:0 or later on... he plays the first ball just like the last ball.
"You have the feeling you have to win every rally three times to get the point.
"I caught myself in moments where I thought 'OK, I've got the point', and then somehow he gets it past you -- and it really hurts you.
"That's his strength, even from difficult situations from the corners to somehow hit fantastic balls anywhere on the court."
- 'Beyond the pain barrier' -
Nadal's powerful game has carried him to a record 22 Grand Slam titles, equal with Novak Djokovic, but it has also taken a punishing toll on his body.
The Spaniard told reporters on Thursday his inability to recover from a hip injury in time for the French Open was "not a decision I made, it's a decision my body made."
"I need to stop for a while."
Like Nadal, Burgsmuller also battled injuries in his career and has followed how the Spaniard has faced setbacks along the way.
As a doctor, Burgsmuller said "you can certainly say that it does not make sense" to play through injury pain, but it was "ultimately up to the athlete to decide".
Burgsmuller said he hoped Nadal would still add to his French Open total in his final appearance next year, but feared the ongoing impact of injuries put that out of reach.
"It's never nice to see someone who is somehow battered and injured, who needs to push themselves beyond the pain barrier -- someone who is on the verge of maybe giving up or not even competing.
"A two-week Grand Slam is already incredibly exhausting for the body."
https://sports.yahoo.com/another-league-nadals-first-french-103938045.html
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Analysis: Rafael Nadal might never play again; he also might surprise us and win something.
Whenever it comes to a close — and even if it already has — Rafael Nadal’s superlative tennis career will be admired for achievements such as 22 Grand Slam titles, currently tied for the most by a man, and a record 14 French Open championships. As it should be.
Nadal’s playing days, though, also will be remembered for more than mere numbers. That bullwhip of a lefty forehand. Engaging rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Unprecedented dominance at Roland Garros, where a statue of him stands. Unfailing humility. Those muscle-bearing shirts and calf-covering capri pants of the early days. The still-present penchant for placing courtside bottles just so. And on it goes.
Any complete conversation about Nadal also must include a reference to the body-bruising style and endless effort, in matches and practice sessions, that fueled more than 1,000 wins and surely contributed to all of the many injuries. He announced Thursday that he has not healed enough to enter the field in Paris, where play begins May 28, and can’t be absolutely sure when he might be able to return to the tour after being sidelined since January by a left hip flexor problem.
Looking at the bigger picture, as aware as everyone else that the pertinent questions now revolve around his future in the sport, Nadal turned a tad philosophical.
“Everything has its beginning,” he said, “and, above all, everything has its end.”
So is this the end of the road with a racket in hand for Nadal? It very well could be. Nadal, who turns 37 on June 3, can't be sure. Neither, of course, can we. Still, it would be foolhardy to rule anything out when it comes to someone as skilled, determined and indefatigable as he always has been.
“Am I going to be able to fight for a Grand Slam?” he asked during the news conference at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain, before offering this honest answer: “I don’t know.”
He is putting a stop to things for the moment — no matches, no practices — so his hip can recuperate. The break could last months. Or more.
“The world of tennis, and the Roland Garros tournament, will be affected by his absence ... because (of) his history in that tournament and generally what he has achieved in his career and the impact he has made on the sport,” said Djokovic, whose own pursuit of a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title and chance to finally stand alone atop the Big Three in that category just got a tad easier.
“Of course, him missing any tournament, but particularly the big ones,” Djokovic added, “has an impact on the tennis world and the tennis fans.”
And Nadal himself.
He spoke frankly about the physical and mental toll exacted recently.
About the pain. About the frustration.
He hopes to play again this season, possibly in the Davis Cup. He wants to play some of his favorite events in 2024 before calling it quits, including, naturally, the French Open, which he entered 18 consecutive times, going 112-3, an event and athlete intertwined like no others.
That might conjure images of a carefully curated list of preferred events, where pre- and post-match speeches and ceremonies would include fond memories and well-meaning jokes and “Whoa, you’re old and ready to rest!” gifts such as rocking chairs or a robe and slippers.
But no one should expect Nadal to be interested in the hagiography of it all. Indeed, no one should be surprised if he goes out there and manages to win another tournament, let alone somehow summons the skill and stamina to navigate the grind of seven best-of-five-set matches at a major.
He’s never allowed his health to hold him back for too long. He’s never allowed doubts — his own; those of others — stand in the way of greatness.
“I don’t want my last year to just be a farewell tour," Nadal said. "I am going to do everything I can so that I am competing at the highest level during my final year. And I want to be able to ... compete to win tournaments. I am going to fight for that. But we’ll see what actually happens.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/analysis-rafael-nadal-might-never-155954477.html
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Ukraine's Kalinina outduels Russia's Kudermetova to reach Rome final.
Anhelina Kalinina of the Ukraine reached the second WTA final of her career with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 defeat of Russia's Veronika Kudermetova at the Italian Open on Friday.
The winner then gave a shout-out to her country, invaded by Russia last year, as she moved into the title match at the Foro Italico.
"It's absolutely important to try and win every match, (considering) what Ukraine is going through," she said.
"I hope I can give a small light and maybe some positive emotions to my country."
The number 47 will play for the title against either Jelena Ostapenko or Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion.
Kalinina will be the lowest ranked finalist at the tournament since 1986 and will rise to her equal career-high ranking of 28th.
It took her nearly three hours to go through in a match played 72 hours after she won another marathon in the quarter-finals.
"I don't feel my legs, I've played so much tennis last couple of days - all three-setters," the winner said.
"I'm barely walking but I'm happy to be able to go through. I need to recover for the final, the tournament is still not over.
"It's an amazing feeling battling to go through. Competing at this level is new for me."
The Ukrainian dominated the third set after a back-and-forth battle in the earlier chapters on the clay.
Kalinina saved eight break points over two games in the first set before finally taking a 4-3 lead with a break to love.
Kudermetova stayed in touch, delivering two aces to trail 4-5, with Kalinina subsequently broken as she tried to serve out the set.
But the Ukrainian came good on a second chance, winning it 7-5 after 66 minutes thanks to 18 unforced errors from her opponent.
The second set began with a pair of love holds before Kudermetova handed over a break for 3-2 to Kalinina from a long forehand.
The Ukrainian who lost her only previous WTA final two years ago in Budapest was broken to love while serving for the match, with a recharged Kudermetova taking a 6-5 lead.
She quickly captured one more game after winning 16 straight points to throw the match into a deciding third set.
Kudermetova saved three break points but fell short on a fourth to lose serve in the opening game of the third set as she went down to defeat.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ukraines-kalinina-outduels-russias-kudermetova-171312714.html
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Rybakina to clash with Kalinina in Rome final.
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina fought from 4-1 down in the second set to overhaul Jelena Ostapenko on Friday to reach the final of the Italian Open.
The 6-2, 6-4 comeback from the Kazakh sent Rybakina into her fourth major final of the season after the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami.
She will bid for the trophy on Saturday against Anhelina Kalinina of the Ukraine, who reached the second WTA final of her career with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 defeat of Russia's Veronika Kudermetova.
The winner then gave a shout-out to her country, invaded by Russia last year, as she moved into the title match at the Foro Italico.
"It's absolutely important to try and win every match, (considering) what Ukraine is going through," she said.
"I hope I can give a small light and maybe some positive emotions to my country."
Rybankina will need a quick turnaround after winning a rain-interrupted semi-final in just under one and three quarter hours, aided by 33 unforced errors from 2017 Roland Garros champion Ostapenko.
The second-set fightback sealed victory for Rybakina on her first match point as her opponent dumped a volley into the net.
"It was not easy at all with the starting and stopping," the winner said. "I need to recover for the final."
Everyone knows how good Anhelina is, we are also good friends - if you can say that (in tennis).
"It will be a tough match for sure. I think of course I'm more consistent, there are still a lot of things to improve.
"But I'm happy that physically I can maintain and stay in the tournament till the end.
Rybakina was pleased with her second-set turnaround.
"I didn't start that well, I was a bit low in energy. Lost my serve. So it was difficult.
"Then a few good shots from her, good serves - it changed very quickly.
"I just tried to focus on every point and got the break back and served really well after that."
- Refused to shake hands -
Earlier Kalinina pointedly refused to shake hands with her defeated Russian Kudermetova opponent and made no apologies for the snub.
"We didn't shake hands because the girl is from Russia basically. It's no secret why I didn't shake, because this country actually attacked Ukraine," she said.
"This is sport, but it's also kind of a politician thing. It's nothing personal. But in general, yes, it's not acceptable."
Kalinina will be the lowest ranked finalist at the tournament since 1986 and will rise to her equal career-high ranking of 28th.
It took her nearly three hours to go through in a match played 72 hours after she won another marathon in the quarter-finals.
"I don't feel my legs, I've played so much tennis last couple of days - all three-setters," the winner said.
"I'm barely walking but I'm happy to be able to go through."
The Ukrainian dominated the third set after a back-and-forth battle in the earlier chapters on the clay.
Kalinina saved eight break points over two games in the first set before finally taking a 4-3 lead with a break to love.
Kudermetova stayed in touch, delivering two aces to trail 4-5, with Kalinina subsequently broken as she tried to serve out the set.
But the Ukrainian came good on a second chance, winning it 7-5 after 66 minutes thanks to 18 unforced errors from her opponent.
The second set began with a pair of love holds before Kudermetova handed over a break for 3-2 to Kalinina from a long forehand.
The Ukrainian, who lost her only previous WTA final two years ago in Budapest, was broken to love while serving for the match, with a recharged Kudermetova taking a 6-5 lead.
She quickly captured one more game after winning 16 straight points to throw the match into a deciding third set.
Kudermetova saved three break points but fell short on a fourth to lose serve in the opening game of the third set as she went down to defeat.
https://sports.yahoo.com/rybakina-clash-kalinina-rome-final-215751018.html
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Simona Halep faces 2nd doping charge over biological passport; had failed drug test at US Open.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been accused of a second doping offense by the International Tennis Integrity Agency for irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport.
The charge announced Friday “is separate and in addition to” the provisional suspension Halep received last year after failing a drug test during the U.S. Open in August, the ITIA said.
Halep is a 31-year-old from Romania who reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings in 2017. She won Wimbledon in 2019, beating 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the final, a year after winning the French Open.
The ITIA said the new charge “was based on an assessment” of Halep’s biological passport profile by an expert panel. Such passports provide a baseline reading of substances in an athlete's body and are considered a way to help chart doping.
“We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process — and indeed any other at the ITIA — we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner,” Nicole Sapstead, the group’s senior director for anti-doping, said in a statement.
In a social media post, Halep wrote Friday that she has “lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life” since being initially charged by the ITIA.
She continued, saying her “name been soiled in the worst possible way” and that the ITIA is determined “to prove my guilt while I haven’t EVER even thought of taking any illicit substance.”
Halep’s post says she was a “victim of contamination” and always has “been totally against any sort of cheating.”
“I look forward to finally being able to present my case at my hearing that is scheduled at the end of May,” she said.
Halep is the most prominent tennis player to face a doping ban since five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova tested positive for a newly banned substance at the 2016 Australian Open. Sharapova initially was given a two-year suspension but appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which reduced the penalty, ruling she bore “less than significant fault” in the case and could not “be considered to be an intentional doper.”
Before her provisional suspension was made public, Halep announced in September she was taking the rest of last season off after having nose surgery to improve her breathing. She had considered retiring earlier in 2022 after a series of injuries, but then said she felt rejuvenated after teaming up with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who used to work with Williams.
Seeded No. 7 at the U.S. Open, Halep lost in the first round to Daria Snigur of Ukraine on Aug. 30. It was the first tour-level win of Snigur’s career.
The ITIA said Halep tested positive in New York for the banned substance Roxadustat, a drug approved for medical use in the European Union to treat the symptoms of anemia caused by chronic kidney failure.
According to the EU’s medicines agency, which approved Roxadustat last year, it stimulates the body to produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, which has long been a doping product favored by cyclists and distance runners.
During a provisional suspension, a tennis player is ineligible to compete in, or attend, any sanctioned events.
https://sports.yahoo.com/simona-halep-faces-2nd-doping-215913093.html
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Former world No. 1 Simona Halep hit with second doping charge amid suspension.
Simona Halep was in a bad situation, and it just got much worse.
The former world No. 1, who has been provisionally suspended since October after allegedly testing positive for a banned substance last year, is being charged with a second and separate doping charge by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, the organization announced Friday.
At issue are "irregularities" in Halep's biological passport, an electronic system of markers used to monitor athletes' blood that goes beyond the usual tests for drugs. As tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg noted, the practice is mostly used to look for blood doping.
The ITIA said Halep's biological passport contained sufficient evidence of another doping charge after she allegedly tested positive for Roxadustat in an August 2022 test.
ITIA senior director for anti-doping Nicole Sapstead was quoted as saying that this development complicates an already sensitive situation:
“We understand that today’s announcement adds complexity to an already high-profile situation. From the outset of this process – and indeed any other at the ITIA – we have remained committed to engaging with Ms. Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner.
“We do, of course, appreciate there is a great deal of media interest in these cases. It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specifics until the conclusion of the process, but we will continue to engage with the Sport Resolutions independent tribunal and Ms. Halep’s representatives as expeditiously as possible.”
Soon after the charge was announced, Halep released a lengthy statement accusing the ITIA of harassment and claiming that her sample that tested positive for Roxadustat had been established as a contaminated sample. In light of what the ITIA said about her biological passport, Halep said three experts had studied her blood and found it to be normal.
The full statement can be read below.
A two-time Grand Slam champion, with wins at the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon, the 31-year-old Halep last played at the 2022 US Open, where she was shocked in the first round by qualifier Daria Snigur. She posted her best result in two years at the previous Grand Slam, with a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon, in which she lost to eventual champion Elena Rybakina.
Simona Halep's full statement on second doping charge
Since October 7, when I got charged by the ITIA for a suspicion of doping, I have lived the worst nightmare I have ever gone through in my life.
Not only has my name been soiled in the worst possible way, but am facing a constant determination from the ITIA for a reason that I cannot understand, to prove my guilt while I haven't EVER even thought of taking any illicit substance.
I tried two times to have the opportunity to be judged by an Independent Tribunal and the ITIA has constantly found reasons to postpone.
Now that we have clearly established that I have been victim of a contamination, they came up with a so-called not normal evolution of my blood. Three world renowned experts that have studied my blood tests have been extremely clear that my blood is totally normal.
I feel helpless facing such harassment and a motivation on their behalf to prove me guilty of something I never did. Once again, all my life I have been totally against any sort of cheating.
It doesn't align with my values.
The only thing I hope for, at this point, is to have the possibility to finally access the independent and impartial judges in a Tribunal, that will give me the chance to prove my innocence.
I have full trust in justice and I look forward to finally being able to present my case at my hearing that is scheduled at the end of May, after several delays by the ITIA.
The support of my loved ones, the tennis world and my fans have given me the courage to continue to practice every day and fight for the truth.
I cannot thank you more for that.
Love, Simona
https://sports.yahoo.com/former-world-no-1-simona-halep-hit-with-second-doping-charge-amid-suspension-230728633.html
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H2H: Medvedev vs Tsitsipas. 7-4 Medvedev. But Tsitsipas has won three of the last four matches.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Nitto ATP Finals Italy |
Indoor Hard | RR | Stefanos Tsitsipas | |
| 2022 | ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati OH, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | |
| 2022 | Australian Open Australia |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2021 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | |
| 2021 | Australian Open Australia |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2019 | Nitto ATP Finals Great Britain |
Indoor Hard | RR | Stefanos Tsitsipas | |
| 2019 | ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2019 | ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2018 | Basel Switzerland |
Indoor Hard | QF | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2018 | US Open NY, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R64 | Daniil Medvedev | |
| 2018 | ATP Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R128 | Daniil Medvedev |
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Brooksby Undergoes Right Wrist Surgery. American underwent left wrist surgery in March.
Jenson Brooksby underwent arthroscopic right wrist surgery on Thursday to repair his tendon subsheath. It is the same surgery he underwent on his left wrist in March.
The American has not competed since the Australian Open and is unsure when he will return to the court. However, he is excited to come back better.
“I underwent a successful arthroscopic right wrist surgery this morning to fix my dislocated tendon,” Brooksby wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to Dr. Shin and his team at Kerlan Jobe for their care and guidance. My left wrist has been responding well and rehab is going 💪”
Brooksby’s right wrist tendon was between 70 and 80 per cent dislocated compared to his left wrist tendon, which was 100 per cent dislocated. The 22-year-old tried to avoid the second surgery by resting and rehabbing, but the discomfort was too much to overcome. Dr. Steven Shin performed both surgeries.
“Surgery on the right wrist was the best route for me to get back on court 100%,” Brooksby wrote. “I have been playing with heavily taped wrists dating back to the 2nd half of 2022 so this wasn’t something new. The last few months have been tough and I know the next few will present its challenges.”
Brooksby showed good form despite the injuries, upsetting Casper Ruud at this year’s Australian Open. The three-time ATP Tour finalist is keen to tackle his recovery and improve his game.
”I am excited to return to training and work on improving areas of my game, including my serve😉,” Brooksby wrote. “I don’t have a fixed date for return to competition — we will do everything to put me in the best position to succeed.”
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/brooksby-surgery-may-2023
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Nys/Zielinski Reach Rome Final. Monagesque-Polish duo will play Dutchmen Haase/Middelkoop.
Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski reached their first ATP Masters 1000 final as a team on Friday when they moved past Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 7-5 at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
The Monegasque-Polish tandem was dominant on serve throughout the 84-minute clash on centre court. They won 93 per cent (27/29) of their first-serve points and saved all three break points they faced to advance.
Nys and Zielinski are yet to drop a set in Rome, having also defeated third seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek. They will play for their first title of the season against Robin Haase and Botic van de Zandschulp.
Nys and Zielinski are currently fourth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings and could rise to top spot if they win the title. Earlier this season, they advanced to the Australian Open final, losing against Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler.
Haase and van de Zandschulp upset top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 7-6(2), 6-4. The Dutchmen's only previous tour-level appearance as a team came at the 2022 Australian Open, where they reached the second round.
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/rome-2023-doubles-sfs-friday
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