Kalinina: I learned mental toughness from top players. You can always return to the match

Ukrainian tennis player Angelina Kalinina commented on her successful performance in the quarterfinals of the tournament WTA 250 in American Austin.

“How did I manage to change the course of the fight in my favor? I have no idea (laughs). Honestly, I have no idea. I just fought, fought, fought. I kept losing and losing. I thought, “Oh God, girl, it’s only been 45 minutes. Can you play a little more?” And just like that, play after play… I don’t know by what miracle I won that second set. My opponent started this match very well, her cutting strikes were incredible. My husband, when I was warming up before the match, he threw me cutting shots, but his cutting ones are just funny compared to her shots (everyone laughs). So I was completely unprepared for this level. But, thank God, I found a rhythm. So I want to give her credit, Parry was incredible.”

“What did I tell myself to not lose hope and stay in the game? When it comes to mental toughness, I learned a lot from top players. I played with them a lot last season. There was a match in which I won 5-1, and my opponent beat me 7-6. So they never give up, not even in any play. Therefore, if you want to win, you must give 100% in every moment, otherwise you will be beaten. At the same time, I also learned that you can always return to the match.”

Let us remember that Angelina incredibly managed to turn the tide of the game and win a strong-willed victory over the Frenchwoman Diane Parry. The Ukrainian lost the first set without a chance (1:6) and was inferior in the second 2:4, but then won four games in a row, after which she defeated her opponent in the third game.

For the right to reach the final, Kalinina, the first seeded of the tournament in Austin, will fight with Chinese Wang Xu.

Let us remind you that in another American city – San Diego – Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk also made it to the semi-finals.