Anna Kalinskaya comes back from the brink to continue French Open run

Anna Kalinskaya dug deep.

The Russian, two points from defeat in the third set against pal Anastasia Potapova, rallied from 4-1 down to win an improbably match tiebreak to punch her ticket into the quarterfinals of the French Open on Monday, taking a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) win.

“I’m shocked, I can’t believe the match is over and I’m standing here doing an interview now,” Kalinskaya, the No. 22 seed, said. “What a match – unbelievable fight from both of us until the last second.

Anna Kalinskaya celebrates after her fourth-round victory Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

“I’ve played against her many times but this one was definitely special – she improved a lot so today was super challenging.”

Kalinskya fought her way to a tiebreak in the final game, with 28th-seeded Potapova surging to an early lead and holding it until she had a break point. Kalinskya won nine of the final 12 points — with Potapova’s return of her final serve going long — and Kalinskya dropped to the clay in relief as the crowd at Courts Suzanne Lenglen rose to its feet.

The win marks the first time the 27-year-old has ever reached the French Open quarterfinals with a matchup with world-ranked 114th Maja Chwalinska on tap.

For right now, Kalinskaya is focused on the present 

“I’m just happy where I am,” Kalinskaya said. “Thinking two weeks ago that I will be here, I wouldn’t believe it. I would probably laugh with my team. Here I am, so I will try to enjoy and just do my best.”

Kalinskaya returns a shot in fourth round match Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

The women’s draw has seen plenty of upsets. Former French Open winners Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, and Grand Slam finalists Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula have all been knocked out of the tournament. 

Top-10 seeds Elina Svitolina and Mirra Andreeva remain alive, with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka taking on No. 15 Naomi Osaka on Monday afternoon.