Anna Kalinskaya advanced to the fourth round of the US Open 2026 after overcoming ninth seed Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, but the match ended with a familiar moment between the Russian and Ukrainian players as they did not shake hands at the net.
Kalinskaya held her nerve after Svitolina fought back in the second set and took an early break in the decider. The Russian responded strongly to close out the match and reach the Round of 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time.
Kalinskaya Reaches US Open Round of 16
Kalinskaya produced one of the biggest wins of her tournament so far, recovering from Svitolina’s second-set fightback to win the deciding set 6-3.
The victory takes Kalinskaya into the second week of the US Open for the first time in her career.
Speaking after the match, Kalinskaya said she was surprised by the victory after such a closely fought contest.
“I’m shocked. It’s a very nice win for me. The match was very close. I feel till the last point it was very up and down,” Kalinskaya said.
Kalinskaya will now look to continue her run in New York as she bids to reach the quarter-finals.
Anna Kalinskaya’s reaction to reaching R16 at US Open for the first time in her career:
“I’m shocked. It’s a very nice win for me. The match was very close.. I feel til the last point it was very up and down.” pic.twitter.com/7zDLSeFAia
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2026
No Handshake Between Kalinskaya and Svitolina
The absence of a handshake followed Svitolina’s longstanding stance when facing Russian and Belarusian players. Ukrainian players have largely refused the traditional post-match handshake with opponents from Russia and Belarus since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Anna Kalinskaya is into Round 4 of the US Open for the first time in her career! pic.twitter.com/gjBdZlugc6
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2026
Svitolina has repeatedly explained that the gesture is part of her position on the war and an effort to keep attention on the situation in Ukraine. In May 2026, she said she continued to boycott handshakes with Russian and Belarusian opponents, adding that the ongoing conflict made the issue particularly painful for her.
