3 hours and 41 minutes 🙌 An incredible match by both players but it's Anhelina Kalinina who prevails in the end. #IBI23
WATCH: Both Players In Tears After Playing Longest WTA Match Of the Year
WTAWednesday, 17 May 2023 at 11:30
Emotional intensity unfolded at the 2023 Italian Open, where Anhelina Kalinina and Beatriz Haddad Maia played the longest WTA match of the year.
The Ukrainian, ranked 47th in the world, emerged triumphant after an epic battle with Brazil's Haddad Maia. The encounter, clocking in at a staggering 3 hours and 41 minutes, was an extraordinary match that displayed the mental resilience of both competitors. It comes only a few weeks after we saw an ATP Challenger match played for 4 hours and 13 minutes.
The rollercoaster match commenced with a tense first set, which Haddad Maia clinched 7-6(2) after a tie-break. Kalinina, however, refused to back down, showcasing her fighting spirit by rallying to take the second set 7-6(6). She then capitalized on this momentum shift to bag the deciding set 6-3, securing her place in the biggest semifinal of her career.
In the aftermath of the grueling match, both players were moved to tears. Kalinina was the first to break down, her emotions spilling over at the enormity of her victory and the exhaustion she felt. Shortly after, Haddad Maia, visibly moved by the standing ovation she received from the crowd, also gave in to her emotions as she walked off the court.
Reflecting on the monumental win, Kalinina acknowledged the crucial role played by her team as she gave credit to her fitness coach, who in her opinion deserves half of the win.
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"It feels great, but I can't feel my body or my legs. I think it was the longest match of my career. Thanks to my coach and thanks to my fitness coach because this win is not my win. My part is 50 percent and 50 percent is my fitness coach."
Kalinina then lauded her opponent's aggressive game play, crediting Haddad Maia for compelling her to reassess her strategy.
"I started really well and I think it was my weakness because I was a little bit relaxed. Beatriz started to play really great, stepping in, playing really aggressive, but I was just waiting after 5-2. I started aggressive but I started to lose my game. I'm sorry but if you're starting to push the ball, it's not going to work."
The Ukrainian's game, however, was not just about fine-tuning her tactics. It was also about the mental fortitude required in the face of adversity.
"It sounds very basic -- fight, fight -- but it was today about the fighting spirit because it's really tough when you are down 3-0 to be positive and to still believe that you will win just this ball. It's not about winning the set because if you think like that it's really tough to go from 3-0 to win 6-3."
Beatriz Haddad Maia is in tears after her loss to Anhelina Kalinina. Longest match of the season. Standing ovation for Bia. Coming from a country without a lot of representation at the top of tennis, she’s making so many people proud in Brazil Warrior 🇧🇷❤️🇧🇷
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