Dubai, UAE – Anna Kalinskaya has arrived in Dubai for the Duty Free Tennis Championships with a renewed sense of confidence and excitement. The Russian star enjoyed a remarkable run in the tournament last year, reaching the final after starting in the qualifying rounds. This year, she’s hoping to build on that success and potentially go even further.
“It was a great week for me last year,” Kalinskaya said at the tournament’s draw ceremony. “I had so many matches, starting from qualifying, and so far it was the most matches I could play in a row and having amazing wins over top players. So that gave me a lot of confidence and a big boost of energy and positivity for the whole year.”
Kalinskaya’s run to the final in 2024 was particularly impressive due to the caliber of players she defeated along the way. She upset three top-10 players, including the then-world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, en route to the championship match. Although she ultimately lost to Jasmine Paolini in the final, her performance in Dubai served as a springboard for a successful season.
Following her impressive showing in Dubai, Kalinskaya continued to climb the WTA rankings, reaching a career-high of No. 11 in October. She credits her strong performance in Dubai with giving her the confidence and momentum she needed to succeed throughout the year.
“It was a very good time for me and hopefully I can win this week so that 2025 can be even better,” Kalinskaya said.
This year, Kalinskaya enters the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as a seeded player, which means she’ll avoid facing the top players in the early rounds. However, she still faces a challenging draw, with potential matchups against some of the world’s best players.
In her opening match, Kalinskaya will face two-time Dubai champion and former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. It’s a tough first-round match, but Kalinskaya is confident that she can overcome the challenge.
“I feel more positive and more excited to have a better draw in some tournaments and I have more confidence, I would say,” she said. “But of course to be at that level and to improve I need to work harder and it just gives me more I wouldn’t say pressure but just more thoughts, reminding myself that I need to keep improving and then I can reach my goal.”
If Kalinskaya advances past Svitolina, she could potentially face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. Sabalenka is one of the top players in the world and a former Grand Slam champion. A match between Kalinskaya and Sabalenka would be a blockbuster encounter.
In addition to Sabalenka, Kalinskaya’s potential path to the final could also include matches against other top players such as Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Emma Navarro. It’s a challenging draw, but Kalinskaya is ready for the challenge.
“I’m excited to be back in Dubai,” Kalinskaya said. “I have great memories from last year and I’m looking forward to playing some great tennis this week.”
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is a WTA 1000 tournament, which means it’s one of the most prestigious tournaments on the WTA Tour. The tournament features a star-studded field, with many of the world’s top players competing for the title.
This year’s tournament is particularly special as it marks the 25th edition of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. To celebrate this milestone, the tournament organizers have put together a number of special events and activities.
Kalinskaya is hoping to make this year’s tournament even more memorable by winning the title. She has the talent and the confidence to do it, but she’ll need to play her best tennis to overcome the tough competition.
“I’m not thinking too much about the final,” Kalinskaya said. “I’m just focused on my next match and taking it one match at a time. If I can play my best tennis, I believe I can go far in the tournament.”
Kalinskaya’s positive attitude and her strong belief in her abilities are two of the keys to her success. She’s a player who never gives up and always fights for every point. These qualities will serve her well in Dubai as she aims to capture her first WTA 1000 title.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is underway and tennis fans around the world are eagerly anticipating some thrilling matches. With a field that includes some of the biggest names in women’s tennis, this year’s tournament promises to be one of the best yet. And with Anna Kalinskaya in the mix, anything is possible.
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