Elina Svitolina is making a statement at the WTA 1000 Dubai Championships—and she’s doing it in dominant fashion.
Facing No. 15 seed Anna Kalinskaya in what was expected to be a tight first-round battle, the Ukrainian star obliterated her opponent in just 66 minutes, cruising to a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
For Svitolina, who is unseeded in Dubai, this wasn’t just a win—it was a warning shot to the rest of the draw. She means business.
A Ruthless Performance: How Svitolina Dismantled Kalinskaya
From the outset, Kalinskaya looked ready for a fight, breaking Svitolina’s serve in the very first game of the match.
That was the last time she had control.
Svitolina immediately flipped the script, storming through six straight games to bag the first set 6-1. Kalinskaya didn’t see a single break point the rest of the set.
The second set was more of the same. Kalinskaya managed to hold her serve for 1-0, but Svitolina went on another devastating run, winning four consecutive games to take a 4-1 lead.
A brief fightback saw the Russian break back, but Svitolina was relentless—immediately breaking once more and closing the match in emphatic fashion.
Final score: Svitolina def. Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 in 1 hour, 6 minutes
Svitolina’s Momentum is Building
This wasn’t just a dominant win—it was a continuation of Svitolina’s resurgence.
The 30-year-old, a former World No. 3, missed much of 2022 after taking time off to give birth to her daughter but has been steadily climbing back up the rankings since her return.
Her ability to dictate points, move effortlessly, and control rallies against a talented opponent like Kalinskaya is a clear sign that she’s back to playing at an elite level.
She now holds a 2-0 record against Kalinskaya, having also defeated her at the 2024 Rome Open.
What’s Next for Svitolina?
With Kalinskaya out of the way, Svitolina moves on to the second round, where she will face either Clara Tauson or Rebecca Sramkova.
While neither opponent carries the ranking pedigree of Kalinskaya, both are capable of pulling off surprises.
If Svitolina continues playing with the same ruthless efficiency she displayed today, she’ll be a serious threat for the later rounds in Dubai—and beyond.
One thing is clear: Elina Svitolina is back, and the WTA field better take notice.
