Jannik Sinner, Anna Kalinskaya miss out on ‘love double’ in heartbreaking fashion
Jannik Sinner and Anna Kalinskaya
Anna Kalinskaya and Jannik Sinner were both in finals this weekend.
Jannik Sinner captured the first grass court title of his career at the Halle Open on Sunday – but there was heartbreak for girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya down the road in Berlin.
Playing his first tournament as world No 1, Sinner had by no means an easy week on his way to the final of the ATP 500 event, pushed to three sets in his first three matches.
The Italian was too strong on serve in the final, however, downing good friend Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8), 7-6(2) to claim his 14th singles title – and cement his status as a strong Wimbledon favourite.
Sinner addressed Hurkacz – who he had also played doubles with in Halle this week – after their match.
“Huge congratulations for playing another final,” he said.
“Also to your team you’re doing an amazing job. We’re very good friends off court. We played doubles in the beginning of the week. Seeing us play the final here is very special. Thank you so much.”
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Sinner also spoke about Kalinskaya’s final, having learnt about the gut-wrenching manner in which Jessica Pegula beat her in Berlin.
Hunting her first career title, the 25-year-old was forced to wait until Sunday to find out she was facing Pegula, after the American finished off her semi-final victory over Coco Gauff.
After the final progressed to a deciding set, Kalinskaya led by a break and, even after losing her break of serve, held five match points as Pegula served to stay in the match.
But the American held on, and ultimately claimed her fifth career title with a 6-7(0), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory.
“My girlfriend Anna played in Berlin today. She lost, with match points. So I’m very sorry for her. She also had an amazing week,” said Sinner.
Kalinskaya will break the top 20 for the first time in her career after her run, but it was another tough final loss for her.
The Russian reached the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier in 2024, serving for the match before tasting defeat to Jasmine Paolini.
“It’s been an incredible week for me. I missed playing on grass,” she said after her defeat to Pegula.
“Making the final means a lot to me. Losing today is upsetting but Jess congratulations to you. You’re such a fighter. It’s nice to see you back on tour. Couldn’t have wished for a better comeback.
“If we play like this against each other every time, I’ll be happy for both of us. I want to say thanks to my coach. It was a very difficult year.
“But we’re going strong and getting better day by day. Thanks to my family who always support me, doesn’t matter what time of the day or night it is.”
Had Kalinskaya won, it would have been the second week in a row that a tennis power couple had won titles on the same day.
Last Sunday saw Alex de Minaur claim victory in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, before Katie Boulter successfully defended her title in Nottingham.
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