French Open 2026: Kalinskaya holds nerve to beat Potapova, reach Paris quarterfinal Anna Kalinskaya secured her first French Open quarterfinal berth with a hard-fought three-set victory over 28th-seeded Anastasia Potapova on Monday, marking only the second time a Russian woman has reached this stage at Roland Garros. The 22nd-seeded Kalinskaya triumphed 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(10-7) in a match that lasted two hours and 49 minutes, showcasing her resilience and composure under pressure. This achievement places her in the final eight of the tournament, a significant milestone for the Austrian-born Russian, who previously reached the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2024. The match unfolded with Potapova taking an early lead, dominating the first set with a 4-1 advantage before Kalinskaya clawed her way back into contention. Potapova’s aggressive play in the second set saw her build a 3-1 lead, but Kalinskaya’s determination kept the contest alive, forcing a decisive third set. The third set proved to be a rollercoaster, with Potapova seizing a 4-1 lead before Kalinskaya fought back to serve for the match at 5-4. However, Potapova’s tenacity saw her break Kalinskaya’s serve, sending the contest into a tense tiebreak. Kalinskaya’s nerve held, and she clinched the tiebreak to advance. Kalinskaya’s victory comes at a pivotal moment for the French Open, where the women’s field remains unpredictable. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is positioned as the top contender, following the early exits of defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time Paris winner Iga Swiatek. Potapova, who had already eliminated Gauff in the third round, demonstrated her ability to challenge top-tier players, but Kalinskaya’s tactical adjustments and mental fortitude proved decisive.#aryna_sabalenka #roland_garros #anastasia_potapova #french_open_2026 #anna_kalinskaya
French Open: Kalinskaya Survives Epic Potapova Battle to Reach Maiden QF Anna Kalinskaya secured her first-ever French Open quarter-final berth after a grueling three-set match against Anastasia Potapova on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The Russian, seeded 22nd, overcame a dramatic battle to win 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7), marking a pivotal moment in her career. The match, which lasted two hours and 49 minutes, showcased relentless momentum shifts and intense psychological warfare, with both players pushing each other to the brink. Kalinskaya’s victory extended her head-to-head record against Potapova to 3-0 and propelled her into her fifth clay-court quarter-final, a milestone she had not previously achieved. The 22-year-old, who had only won one main-draw match at Roland Garros prior to this year, now faces either French hope Diane Parry or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the next round. Her path to the quarter-finals was particularly notable given the challenges posed by Potapova, the 28th-seeded Austrian, who had previously defeated her in their 2024 Australian Open clash. The match began with Kalinskaya seizing control of the first set, coming from a 4-1 deficit to take a 6-4 lead. However, Potapova responded with renewed intensity, dominating the second set to claim a 6-2 victory and force a deciding third. The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Potapova seizing a 4-1 lead in the tie-break before Kalinskaya staged a remarkable comeback. The Russian saved two match points at 5-4 and 6-5, eventually prevailing in the tie-break to seal the win. Kalinskaya’s composure under pressure was a key factor in her triumph. After the match, she admitted to being overwhelmed by the intensity of the contest, stating, “I’m shocked. I can’t believe the match is over.#maja_chwalinska #diane_parry #french_open #anastasia_potapova #anna_kalinskaya
WTA French Open Second Round Best Bets Including Diana Shnaider vs McCartney Kessler Anna Kalinskaya faces Alina Korneeva in the second round of the WTA French Open. Kalinskaya, the No. 22 seed, advanced confidently in her first-round match against Lois Boisson, a player who reached the semifinals last year. Kalinskaya demonstrated composure during the match, handling the challenge of facing a French opponent in France. Korneeva, meanwhile, secured a straightforward victory over Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who has struggled with consistency in recent weeks. Both players are in strong form, but Kalinskaya is positioned as the favorite due to her seeding and recent performance. Analysts suggest Korneeva +1.5 sets could be a reasonable wager, though Kalinskaya’s ability to manage matches and her potential for a close victory make her a strong contender. A 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 scoreline is predicted to secure Kalinskaya’s win. Betting on Kalinskaya -3.5 games is highlighted as a value bet with odds of 1.77 at 1xBet. Diana Shnaider, ranked in the top 25, faces McCartney Kessler, who is just inside the top 50. Shnaider dominated her first-round match against Renata Zarazua, winning in straight sets without significant resistance. Kessler, meanwhile, overcame Hanyu Guo in three sets, adapting to challenging weather conditions and earning confidence for the next round. While Shnaider’s form suggests she should be favored, her lack of deep tournament runs this year raises questions about her consistency. Kessler’s recent performance, including a straight-set win over Zarazua, adds intrigue to the matchup. The match is expected to be closely contested, with Kessler’s +1.5 sets bet at 2.14 odds on Unibet considered a value play. Yulia Putintseva, ranked World No. 76, takes on Camila Osorio, the No. 86 seed.#wta_french_open #anna_kalinskaya #alina_korneeva #diana_shnaider #mcCartney_kessler
