After receiving an on-court medical time-out for what appeared to be a lower-back issue, Kalinskaya started the second set with aplomb.
The 31st seed, who upset Swiatek in the first meeting of their career in 2024, began to unleash her powerful, flat groundstrokes that have troubled her Polish rival.
By fearlessly striking a pair of winners, Kalinskaya earned her first break points of the match on Swiatek’s serve and converted when the world No.2 sent an on-the-run forehand sailing over the baseline.
Though the Pole immediately broke back with a cross-court forehand winner, Kalinskaya reclaimed the upper hand, breaking again when a Swiatek forehand found the net.
The two-time AO semifinalist had a trio of opportunities to break back but was denied by a steely Kalinskaya who dug deep, producing her first ace of the match en route to consolidating for a 4-1 lead.
Swiatek, suddenly vulnerable, contributed a double fault before Kalinskaya ripped a forehand winner to break the second seed to love. Striking the ball with a newfound freedom while serving for the set, the 31st seed banked another three forehand winners – including one on set point – to push the match into a decider.
