After winning a grueling, nearly two-hour match against Xinyu Wang in round 2, Anna Blinkova progresses into the semifinals of Transylvania Open after another three-set victory. Blinkova, who is coming from the qualifiers, got past No. 2 seed Anhelina Kalinina, 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, after more than two hours of play.
Blinkova came back from 3-5 in the first set, but she couldn’t turn it. Then she dominated the next two sets in all chapters, imposing her game with great ease.
For Blinkova, who reaches five consecutive victories in Cluj, this is the first WTA semifinal of the year. She will face Anastasia Potapova, whom she defeated in their only match played so far.
“It was a difficult first set, but I told myself that the differences were not big. That gave me confidence and a lot of energy for the next two sets,” Blinkova said in the post-match interview.
“I’m not thinking too far, I’m taking things step by step and I just want to prepare for tomorrow’s game; no special expectations.”
Big week for Blinkova in Cluj! From qualifying tournament to the semifinals 💪🏻
Anna Blinkova stops 2nd seed Anhelina Kalinina, with an impressive 6-7, 6-1, 6-3 win. #TO2022 pic.twitter.com/9L7cTbdyJA
— Transylvania Open (@TransylvaniaOpn) October 14, 2022
