(Video) Anna Kalinskaya Expresses Frustration over ‘Drunk’ Fans Disrupting Her Match in Cincinnati

Anna Kalinskaya will be playing her career's third quarterfinal in a WTA 1000 tournament.

(Video) Anna Kalinskaya Expresses Frustration over ‘Drunk’ Fans Disrupting Her Match in Cincinnati

Anna Kalinskaya argues with the chair umpire over 'drunk' fans (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

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Anna Kalinskaya called out the ‘drunk’ fans inside P&G Center Court when she was locking horns with Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Masters. Kalinskaya fought back from one set down to book a spot in the quarterfinals.

She has, for the third time, progressed to the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament. But an incident from her fourth-round match made headlines. After losing the first set, she approached the chair umpire and complained about some fans, accusing them of disrupting her match.

Something’s humiliating with the sounds again. Can you tell the security?

But the umpire didn’t think security was needed. He rather thought those fans were also cheering for the players.

I’m keeping an eye on them. I don’t think they’re doing something wrong.

The umpire said

But Kalinskaya insisted that they are making some noise in important moments, implying that she was losing her focus because of this. The umpire, however, remained unmoved.

Yeah, they stop. But they’re also cheering for both of you. They’re clapping. I don’t know what they’re doing.

The 26-year-old next argued, “Yeah, but I think maybe they’re drunk or something.” And the chair umpire simply said, “They probably are,” as Kalinskaya went back before saying something which is unintelligible.

Watch the video of the incident here:

Kalinskaya has played just one WTA 1000 final in her career. It’s last year’s Dubai Open, which she lost to Jasmine Paolini. Before this season, she had never advanced beyond the second round in Cincinnati, and last year, her run ended in the second round.

Kalinskaya has so far played three singles finals in her career, losing all. This season, she made it to the Citi Open final, where Leylah Fernandez breezed past her. Before Cincinnati, Kalinskaya participated in the Canadian Open, where former World No.3 Elina Svitolina eliminated her in the third round.

Anna Kalinskaya to play Iga Swiatek next

Anna Kalinskaya will be expecting nothing but a tough challenge in her quarterfinal match in Cincinnati, because she will be up against none other than former World No.1 Iga Swiatek. The Russian ace holds a lead in their head-to-head matchups, as she beat the Pole in their clash in last year’s Dubai Open.

Iga Swiatek (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Iga Swiatek (via X/The Tennis Letter)

I’m excited. Well, I hope it’s gonna be (laughs)…I hope it’s going to be a great-level match. And, I mean, Iga is such a fighter. So, we will see what’s gonna happen tomorrow. I have no idea what time I play. I mean, I play today. Maybe I should just rest in the locker room.

Anna Kalinskaya said in her on-court interview

While Kalinskaya is chasing her first WTA title in the tournament, Swiatek has 23 singles titles to her name, including 10 WTA 1000s. The last title in this category she lifted at the 2024 Italian Open by beating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

In Cincinnati, the six-time Grand Slam champion is aiming to reach the final for the first time. She is a two-time semifinalist here, reaching the stage in 2023 and 2024, losing both the matches to eventual winners- to Coco Gauff and Sabalenka, respectively.

Last year, Swiatek reached five finals and won them, but all these titles she failed to defend this year. But to everyone’s surprise, she reached her career’s first grass-court final at the Bad Homburg Open, but was unsuccessful in defeating Jessica Pegula. At Wimbledon next, Swiatek ended her title drought by double-bageling Amanda Anisimova.

Before scheduling the clash with Kalinskaya, Swiatek knocked out Sorana Cirstea in straight sets. Swiatek arrived in Cincinnati after playing the Canadian Open, where Clara Tauson ended her run in the fourth round.

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