Elena Rybakina falls to Anna Kalinskaya in Madrid opener; Alycia Parks takes out Victoria Azarenka
The rising American eliminated the former world No. 1, 6-2, 7-6 (5), to progress at the WTA 1000 event Friday.
FLASHBACK: Parks puts in bid for 2023 Shot of the Year
A rundown on some of the unseeded players making noise Friday at the Mutua Madrid Open:
Anna Kalinskaya d. (7) Elena Rybakina
So far, the shift to clay hasn’t quite gone to plan for Rybakina. After winning Indian Wells and following the title run up with a finalist showing in Miami, the reigning Wimbledon champ has gone 1-2 thus far on red dirt. Last week, she was forced to retire down 6-1, 3-1 to Beatriz Haddad Maia with a lower back injury. Facing Anna Kalinskaya to start at the Caja Magica, Rybakina was outserved by her 24-year-old opponent. While Kalinskaya donated seven double faults, she still managed to win 52 percent of second-serve points – including seven of 11 in the decisive set. The world No. 62 pulled away to prevail, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, avenging her Miami loss. She now turns her attention to No. 27 Petra Martic, a 7-6 (3), 6-3 winner over Laura Siegemund.
Alycia Parks d. (15) Victoria Azarenka
The rising American upstaged Caroline Garcia in Lyon to pick up her first WTA title in February. Her latest victory might not involve a trophy, but it’s another win of note after Parks outslugged Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 7-6 (5). The former No. 1 is a two-time finalist at this event, though it should be noted those runs happened more than a decade ago. But her experience on big stages far-outweighed Parks, who came into the event with a 0-3 record in 1000-level main draws. At one juncture of the clash, Azarenka dropped four successive service games before getting back into the conversation. Down an early mini break in the tie-break, Parks stepped up to send the No. 15 seed packing for her fourth consecutive victory over a Top 20 foe (streak began at 2022 Ostrava).
(Q) Matteo Arnaldi d. (3) Casper Ruud
At this moment, any loss by Ruud isn’t a major surprise with how his season has panned out. Beyond being crowned champion at the 250 tournament in Estoril, last year’s two-time major finalist has played like a man with a sizeable target on his back. Today’s loss is certainly up there on the sting impact level, as the No. 3 seed decisively went down to 105th-ranked qualifier Arnaldi, 6-3, 6-4. In what seems to be a recurring theme thus far in 2023, Ruud only capitalized on one of seven break point chances. Arnaldi, who saved a match point in a decisive tie-break thriller over Benoit Paire to win his first-rounder, gets world No. 88 Jaume Munar next. A notable missed opportunity for the Norwegian to grab some points ahead of the 2022 Rome semifinal, Geneva title and Roland Garros finalist results he’s due to defend.