Anna Kalinskaya, the Russian tennis talent who has already claimed Grand Slam glory in mixed doubles on two occasions, continues to rise on the WTA tour. Recent form in Dubai underscored her breakthrough, as she defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in a high-stakes semifinal at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The victory sent Kalinskaya into the final with confidence and momentum, drawing attention from fans and analysts across North America as well as Russia.
Observers note that Kalinskaya’s ascent is tied to an inner steadiness and a supportive team environment. With the right coaching setup and a positive atmosphere around her, the player has built psychological strength that translates into on-court resilience. That growing confidence has fed into winning performances, contributing to the strong results she is producing this season. The quality of her preseason work is also cited as a key factor in the improved outcomes she has delivered so far.
The Dubai semifinal lasted a little over an hour and a half, culminating in a straight-sets win for the 25-year-old Muscovite, 6-4, 6-4. Kalinskaya showed reliability on serve, delivering a potent first serve and avoiding double faults. She converted a high share of her chances under pressure, while her opponent mixed in six aces and two service errors, reaching a first-serve percentage that reflected the tense nature of the match. Kalinskaya’s steady play and tactical patience ultimately tipped the balance in her favor.
Looking ahead, Kalinskaya is set to meet Italian player Yasin Paolini in the final. The showpiece match is scheduled for February 24 and will begin at 18:00 Moscow time, with international audiences following the action closely through various broadcast options.
In the current WTA rankings, Kalinskaya sits around the 40th position, accumulating 1,323 points. The 25-year-old has tallied 13 wins and just 4 losses in singles this season, reflecting a strong and consistent level of play that is garnering attention beyond her usual following.
Swiatek remains at the top of the rankings with 10,300 points, while Belarusian Arina Sabalenko sits in second place after capturing the Australian Open title, and Cori Gauff from the United States rounds out the top three with 7,100 points. Among Russians, Daria Kasatkina holds the highest position at 13th, with 3,063 points, underscoring the depth of talent in Russian women’s tennis.
In retrospective discussions, analysts have highlighted how Kalinskaya’s recent results have elevated expectations and sparked broader conversations about her potential. Observers point to a combination of steady improvement, a solid support team, and a confident on-court mentality as the engines driving her progress. The Dubai semifinal performance is viewed as a sign of her growing ability to challenge the sport’s top players on big stages.