PARIS (AP) — In an unexpected turn of events, Anna Kalinskaya triumphed over Anastasia Potapova with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) on Monday, securing her place in the quarterfinals of the French Open for the very first time.
The Russian player admitted she never anticipated making it this far in the tournament.
“If you told me two weeks ago that I’d be here now, I would have just laughed with my team,” she reflected.
By perhaps keeping her expectations low, she’s been able to unleash her full potential in the earlier rounds.
“I’ve approached this clay season with a relaxed mindset, free from the pressure to perform,” the No. 22 seed shared. “I had no expectations for myself on this surface.”
The gripping contest on Court Suzanne-Lenglen lasted nearly three hours, with Potapova unable to close out the match twice and Kalinskaya rallying from a 4-1 deficit in the super tiebreaker.
“I’m incredibly proud and honestly still processing this moment,” Kalinskaya stated, reflecting on the length of the match.
This marks Kalinskaya’s second appearance in a quarterfinal at a Grand Slam, with her previous being at the 2024 Australian Open.
Despite the early exit of pre-tournament favorite Jannik Sinner in the second round, Italian fans can still rejoice with at least one player in the quarterfinals.
Tenth-seeded Flavio Cobolli moved on to his second Grand Slam quarterfinal — and his first at Roland Garros — defeating American Zachary Svajda 6-2, 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5).
“This is definitely my favorite Grand Slam to compete in,” said Cobolli after his victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier. “We Italians have a special connection with this surface.”
Following his win, the former youth soccer player at Roma mingled with PSG players as they showcased the Champions League trophy on Chatrier after their recent triumph over Arsenal.
Cobolli’s next challenge will be against No. 4 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who dispatched Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 7-5, 6-1, marking his arrival at the last eight in all four majors, although he has yet to reach a final.
Joining Cobolli in the quarterfinals is big-serving Matteo Berrettini, who defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (6). This is Berrettini’s first return to the quarters here since 2021.
French aspirations took a hit with Diane Parry’s 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Maja Chwalinska from Poland, while there are no remaining American women after Madison Keys fell to Diana Shnaider 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
Chwalinska, previously uncharted past the second round of any major and untested at the U.S. Open, is relishing this remarkable journey after coming through three rounds of qualifying, ranked No. 114.
With heavyweights like defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time winner Iga Swiatek exiting, the draw has dramatically changed, but it has done little to faze Chwalinska.
“Whoever I face, I’m always the underdog given my lower ranking, so it doesn’t really matter,” Chwalinska smiled. “They are the favorites, and I’m here as a dark horse.”
Later, the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, last year’s runner-up, will square off against Naomi Osaka, marking the first women’s night match at the French Open in three years.
