{"id":243122,"date":"2026-05-12T21:53:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/ostapenko-bests-kalinskaya-for-first-time-in-tense-italian-open-clash\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T21:53:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:53:51","slug":"ostapenko-bests-kalinskaya-for-first-time-in-tense-italian-open-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/ostapenko-bests-kalinskaya-for-first-time-in-tense-italian-open-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Ostapenko Bests Kalinskaya For First Time In Tense Italian Open Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Jelena Ostapenko dominated Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 at the Foro Italico on Monday to secure her spot in the Italian Open 2026 quarterfinals<\/a>. The former French Open champion\u2019s clinical performance on Rome’s clay courts marked her first career victory over the Russian, ending a four-match losing streak in their head-to-head series.<\/p>\n

The victory signaled a major shift in the rivalry. Before their Italian Open face-off, Ostapenko trailed 0-4 in their career matchups, though that deficit didn’t seem to bother her. <\/p>\n

“I honestly didn\u2019t really care much,” Ostapenko told the WTA Tour<\/a> afterward. “I know I\u2019m a better player.”<\/p>\n

The atmosphere in Rome<\/a> grew touchy during the first set when Kalinskaya took an off-court medical timeout while Ostapenko remained unfazed by the delay. She later noted she prepared for “all kinds of simulations” intended to disrupt her rhythm on the Italian Open clay. <\/p>\n

“She\u2019s a tricky player that is trying to get you out of the rhythm when she starts losing,” Ostapenko said. “I\u2019m really proud of myself, the way I was able to manage all that, losing three games and playing a really good match.”<\/p>\n

Ostapenko vs. Kalinskaya Italian Open Handshake Controversy<\/h2>\n

The tension between the two competitors peaked during the final point of the Italian Open match. After hitting a forehand volley into the net, Kalinskaya bypassed the traditional handshake. She shook the umpire\u2019s hand instead and walked straight to her chair. This snub follows a similarly cold exchange between the two in Dubai earlier this year. Ostapenko has a storied history of high-profile incidents<\/a> and “no-look” handshakes<\/a>, too, but she maintained her composure in Rome to close out the win. <\/p>\n

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"Notice the frost on the fingers." – Mary Carillo
@DKasatkina<\/a> def. \"\ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\uddfb\"Jelena #Ostapenko<\/a> on Day 6.
The post-match handshake? ICY. \"\u2744\"#USOpen<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/n16FAW169G<\/a><\/p>\n

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 3, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/section>\n

“I know that I can be emotional on court,” the Latvian star<\/a> said regarding the skipped handshake. “But at the end of the day, I respect the other players.”<\/p>\n

The post Ostapenko Bests Kalinskaya For First Time In Tense Italian Open Clash<\/a> appeared first on Just Women's Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n