Anna Kalinskaya had a funny moment following her Berlin semifinal win as the 25-year-old Russian joked that she is just trying to be “a little bit as good” as her boyfriend Jannik Sinner.
On Saturday, Kalinskaya – who is currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 24 – was 5-1 up on Aryna Sabalenka in their quarterfinal match before the two-time Grand Slam champion retired from their match due to a shoulder injury. Since the match against Sabalenka was scheduled for Friday but started on Saturday because of rain, the Russian returned to the court a couple of hours later and beat former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-7 (3) 6-1 to reach the Berlin final.
While Kalinskaya was battling Azarenka, her boyfriend Sinner – who is the 2024 Australian Open champion and the current world No. 1 – defeated Zhang Zhizhen 6-4 7-6 (3) to progress into the Halle final.
After Kalinskaya sealed a Berlin final ticket, the on-court interviewer asked the Russian tennis star: “Jannik is in the final of Halle. You’re in the final of Berlin. What is it with you?”
Kalinskaya delivered a lovely response, saying: “I’m just trying to be a little bit as good as him (laughing). I’m gonna text him now. I’m…
