After Anhelina Kalininia withdrew due to injury from the rain-delayed final in Rome in the second set, Elena Rybakina was named the winner of the WTA Italian Open.
As spectators waited beneath their umbrellas for hours before the night session began, the final commenced at approximately 11 o’clock.
When it happened, Kalininia broke Rybakina after a few of deuce rallies in an outstanding opening.
The Kazakh, though, began to show signs of improvement and responded in kind with a break of her own in the sixth game before breaking once again in the tenth game to win the first set.
Not the way it should have ended, but thank you for these two incredibile weeks of tennis, @angie_kalinina 🥹
Wishing you a speedy recovery ❤️#IBI23 | @WTA pic.twitter.com/q2HMXiT5Oz
— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 20, 2023
The 2022 Wimbledon winner received her largest clay-court victory from Rybakina after Kalininia took a seat to confer with her physician. After a brief consultation, the players shook hands, and Rybakina advanced to fourth in the WTA rankings on Monday.
Iga Swiatek was forced to retire in the quarterfinals, and Rybakina was able to win after her opponent did so for the second time in the competition.
“I want to wish Kalininia a speedy recovery because she is a really good friend of mine and I am really happy for all of her results,” Rybakina said courtside following her triumph. She did well, and perhaps she will be able to recuperate in time for the French Open.
“Many thanks to the audience and to everyone who persisted in watching to the very end. With all the rain today, it was difficult for both of us and you, so I want to thank you very much for your help.”
A little sad to see that the women's final of one of the biggest @wta event of the season is starting at 11pm. Nobody in the stands of course, and not really cool for both players to start such an important match so late…
Why not put both men and women's finals tomorrow? #ibi23— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) May 20, 2023
“I’m really sorry I couldn’t play,” Kalininia added. I tried my best, but this is sport, so I want to congratulate Elena on not just winning this championship but also on all she has accomplished this year, beginning with Wimbledon. I hope I may someday reach her level.
“Good luck this season, stay healthy, and accomplish your objectives.”
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