Ukraine’s Kalinina dedicates win to homeland after beating a Russian to reach Rome final
Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina smiles after beating Russia's Veronika Kudermetova during a semi final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alessandra Tarantino]
ROME (AP) — Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina has beaten Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 at the Italian Open to reach the biggest final of her career. Kalinina dedicated the victory to her war-torn country. Kalinina will face Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s final. Rybakina beat 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 in a match that was suspended midway through the second set due to rain. Kalinina and Kudermetova did not shake hands after their semifinal, which lasted nearly three hours. Kalinina’s family home was destroyed in a Russian attack during the war in Ukraine.
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Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina blows a kiss after beating Russia's Veronika Kudermetova during a semi final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alessandra Tarantino
Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina returns the ball during a semi final match against Russia's Veronika Kudermetova at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andrew Medichini
A young woman lifts the Ukrainian flag while Russia's Veronika Kudermetova and Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina play their semi final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alessandra Tarantino