Kalinskaya to Face Fernandez in DC Open Women’s Final

Anna Kalinskaya dashed hopes of a long-anticipated rematch of the 2021 US Open final by defeating Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the semi-final of the DC Open on Saturday. The 26-year-old Russian beat Raducanu 6-4, 6-3 on the Washington hard courts, securing her place in the final against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.

Semi-Final Results: Women’s Singles

Kalinskaya Ends Raducanu’s Run

In a clinical performance, Kalinskaya reached her third career WTA final, hoping to clinch her first-ever WTA title. Her match against Raducanu was tactically sharp:

• Raducanu conceded the first break in the ninth game of the opening set by sending a backhand long.
• Kalinskaya then held firm, saving two break points and sealing the set with an overhead smash.
• In the second set, Kalinskaya broke early but was briefly pegged back to 1-1.
• A decisive break at 3-2 followed, and the Russian closed the match after 94 minutes when Raducanu netted a forehand.

Kalinskaya, currently ranked World No. 39, had previously reached WTA finals in Dubai and Berlin in 2024 but is yet to lift a title.

Fernandez Outlasts Rybakina in Epic Battle

Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open finalist, advanced to her seventh career WTA final — and first since Eastbourne in June 2024 — after a gruelling victory over third seed Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion.

Match Statistics: Fernandez vs Rybakina

• Rybakina dominated the first set tie-break with four consecutive winners.
• In the second set, she broke early and led 3-1, but Fernandez saved three break points and broke back to level at 5-5.
• Fernandez then took control of the second tie-break 5-0, aided by a Rybakina double fault, to push the match into a third set.
• In the final tie-break, Fernandez again leapt to a 4-0 lead before Rybakina sent a forehand long, ending the contest.

Fernandez now aims for her fourth WTA title, having last triumphed at the 2023 Hong Kong Open.

Head-to-Head: Fernandez vs Kalinskaya

Sunday’s final will mark only the second career meeting between the two, with Fernandez holding a 1–0 edge.

Raducanu’s Title Drought Continues

Emma Raducanu, currently ranked World No. 46, has not reached a WTA final since her fairytale 2021 US Open victory. Her resurgence this week in Washington showed promise, but Kalinskaya proved a step too far.

Men’s Semi-Finals Preview

Later in the day, the men’s semi-finals featured the following matchups:

Sunday promises a compelling women’s final as two driven and dynamic players — Kalinskaya in search of her first title, and Fernandez aiming to reclaim former glory — battle for the DC Open crown.