British tennis star Emma Raducanu’s impressive run at the Washington Open came to an end today as she was defeated 6-4, 6-3 by Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya in the semi-finals.
Despite the loss, the 22-year-old’s performance in the tournament ensures she will reclaim her British number one ranking from Katie Boulter.
Raducanu, currently ranked 46th in the world, showed flashes of brilliance, serving five aces early in the match.
However, she was unable to convert any of her four break point opportunities against the solid play of Kalinskaya, who is ranked just two places below her at 48th. Kalinskaya capitalized on a crucial break in the ninth game to clinch the first set.
The second set saw an early exchange of breaks, but the 26-year-old Russian once again pulled ahead, securing another decisive break to seal her victory.
“It was an interesting match. It’s nice to play against Emma,” said Kalinskaya, who is now set to compete for her first WTA 500 title. “I’m proud of myself. I stayed aggressive and stuck to my plan.”
Kalinskaya will face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in Sunday’s final. Fernandez, whom Raducanu famously defeated to win her 2021 US Open title, emerged victorious from an epic three-hour, 12-minute encounter against third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, winning 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3).
In the men’s event, Australia’s Alex de Minaur secured his spot in the final with a 6-4, 6-3 semi-final win over French lucky loser Corentin Moutet. De Minaur will battle Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who defeated American fourth seed Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-5.
Raducanu is scheduled to be back in action on Monday, facing Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round of the Canadian Open WTA 1000 event in Montreal.
