Kalinina, the 30th seed from Ukraine, triumphed over Veronika Kudermetova of Russia in a hard-fought match that ended 7-5, 5-7, 6-2. Kalinina displayed remarkable resilience under pressure, saving a total of eight break points and breaking her opponent's serve in the seventh game of the first set. Although Kudermetova managed to break back, Kalinina regained control, winning the next two games and taking the set.
In the second set, Kalinina once again held a two-game advantage and had an opportunity to serve for the match. However, she couldn't close it out as Kudermetova staged a spirited comeback. Facing elimination at 5-3 down, Kudermetova won four consecutive games to force a deciding third set. Despite her efforts, Kalinina dominated the final set, securing an early double break for a 4-0 lead. She sealed victory on her first match point with a cross-court forehand. This impressive achievement makes Kalinina the lowest-ranked player in 37 years to reach the Italian Open final, currently ranked at number 47. She dedicated her win to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe.
Rybakina, on the other hand, had a more straightforward path to the final, defeating Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets of 6-2, 6-4. The Kazakh player demonstrated her prowess and control throughout the match, securing a comfortable victory to book her place in the championship clash.
The Italian Open final promises to be an exciting battle between Rybakina and Kalinina as they vie for the prestigious title.
