How was her season
After entering Top 100 for the first time in 2021, this year Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina has continued step by step her ascent. 2022 was full of premieres for her: fourth round in a WTA 1000, quarterfinal in a WTA 500, and the most significant wins in her career so far, against Garbiñe Muguruza, Emma Raducanu, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari.
All these results propelled her into Top 50 and now she closes in to entering WTA Top 30.
Playing style
Kalinina, 25, displays a game of aggressive tennis. She holds up very well in long rallies and, thanks to her variety of shots, is able to defend herself quite easily. But her main asset is the ability to hit winners from almost any position; she loves counterattacking, she can force the opponent out of her rhythm with high top-spin shots, and she also doesn’t show clear weaknesses. She has a strong serve, accelerates impeccably on both sides, and moves very fast on the court.
Big picture
No. 2 seed in Transylvania Open, Kalinina seems capable to attaining a higher level and displaying her best tennis in Cluj. She is here for the second time and she aims to end this season with a good performance, which could take her into Top 30.
She starts the tournament against Eugenie Bouchard – one of the toughest encounters in the first round.
