WTA Stars Raise Eyebrows By Skipping Post-Match Handshake in Rome
Tensions stuffed the air on the Foro Italico as Jelena Ostapenko took on Anna Kalinskaya in the R16. The two have not been on nice phrases for months now, and this was evident throughout their match on the Italian Open as nicely. Ostapenko proved to be too good for her opponent on the day and raced to a complete 6-1, 6-2 victory. However, the true drama would unfold after the match’s conclusion.
Instead of doing the customary handshake, each gamers determined to disregard one another as they made their solution to the web. The two solely shook palms with the chair umpire and did not even take a look in the direction of each other. No one may have anticipated that their relationship would deteriorate to such an extent in just some months.
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Notably, tensions have been brewing between Ostapenko and Kalinskaya since they clashed on the Dubai Championships earlier this yr. It was the Russian who had come out on high at the moment, recording a hard-fought 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory to qualify for the R16. However, there was quite a lot of post-match drama, and Ostapenko had even shared harsh phrases with Kalinskaya’s camp.
Since this episode, the relations between the 2 have been as tense as ever, and their reactions solely added gas to the fireplace.
This was Ostapenko’s first-ever conquer Kalinskaya in a tour-level singles match. The two had beforehand confronted one another in 4 matches, and the latter had gained on all events. It could not have been a greater outcome for the Latvian, as not solely did she get the higher of Kalinskaya, however she additionally did it convincingly.
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Ostapenko broke her opponent’s serve on 4 events and did not let her settle all through the match. She held her personal serve and saved piling strain on Kalinskaya. After the match, the 28-year-old claimed that she will beat anybody when she performs in keeping with her sport plan.
BEIJING, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 26: Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia competes in the Women’s Singles Round of 64 match towards Priscilla Hon of Australia on day 5 of the 2025 China Open at National Tennis Center on September 26, 2025, in Beijing, China. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Copyright: xVCGx 111593366306
“I think I’m improving every day, and I always knew I could beat everyone when I play my game. I just need to work on the things I have to work on – the mental part and all that. If it sticks together, I can be a very dangerous player,” Ostapenko mentioned throughout his post-match interview.
On the opposite hand, it proved to be a dismal day on the workplace for Kalinskaya, who had come into the match after defeating Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-3 in the earlier spherical. She was the favourite coming into the match towards Ostapenko, however had no reply to her opponent’s photographs on the court docket.
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Following the one-sided win over Kalinskaya, Ostapenko is now set to lock horns towards the participant who had just lately brought about the most important upset of the match up to now.
Jelena Ostapenko will face Sorana Cirstea subsequent on the Italian Open
Ostapenko can be taking over veteran Sorana Cirstea in the quarterfinals. The latter had defeated World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the second spherical and had then knocked out Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-4 in the third spherical.
With this possible being Cirstea’s final season on tour, her upcoming assembly with Ostapenko may transform the ultimate time she faces the Latvian. The two have confronted one another on seven events earlier than, and virtually each match has confirmed to be an in depth encounter.
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Ostapenko presently leads the H2H report by 4-3 however has did not report a victory over Cirstea in their earlier two conferences. They had locked horns towards one another on the Brisbane International earlier this yr, and the Romanian had claimed a 6-2, 7-6 win. With each gamers wanting in nice contact on the Foro Italico, it might very nicely transform one other shut affair.
Will Ostapenko be capable of safe her first-ever semi-final berth on the Italian Open, or will Cirstea get the higher of her for the third time in a row? Drop your predictions in the feedback!
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