Tennis

Can Kalinskaya and Sinner Become the Next Power Couple to Triumph on the Same Weekend?After Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur's impressive double victory last week, Anna Kalinskaya and Jannik Sinner are poised to replicate their feat. The budding couple has been making headlines since their public display of affection at Roland Garros, and they are now on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone.Kalinskaya, ranked 24th in the world, has reached her first career grass-court final in Berlin. She overcame Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka in consecutive matches, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her boyfriend, Sinner, has also secured a spot in the Terra Wortmann Open final, marking his first grass-court final appearance.In a post-match interview, Kalinskaya expressed her admiration for Sinner's accomplishments and her desire to emulate his success. "I'm just trying to be a little bit as good as him," she said with a smile. "He's had an amazing year."Kalinskaya's victory on Sunday would be particularly significant as it would be her first WTA tour singles title. She has never reached a final before, making this an even more momentous occasion. Her opponent in the final will be either Coco Gauff, whom she defeated in Dubai, or Jessica Pegula.The potential for Kalinskaya and Sinner to become the next power couple to triumph on the same weekend is tantalizing. Their love and support for each other could provide the motivation and inspiration they need to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports.

Swiatek and Paolini Withdraw from Berlin Grass-Court Event After Roland Garros TriumphsWorld No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Roland Garros runner-up Jasmine Paolini have withdrawn from next week's WTA grass-court event in Berlin, citing physical and mental fatigue after an intense nine-week stretch.Swiatek, who extended her winning streak to 35 matches with her third consecutive Roland Garros title, expressed the need for rest and recovery. "I had these ideas, like, doing preseason on grass so I can learn how to play there," she said. "But yeah, for sure it's a huge challenge."Paolini, who reached her first Grand Slam singles final and the doubles final in Paris, withdrew due to an unspecified injury. Her impressive performance at Roland Garros propelled her to career-high rankings in both singles and doubles, including a Top 10 debut in singles.The Berlin tournament, which begins on Monday, will still feature the remaining eight players ranked in this week's Top 10, including newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.Swiatek's withdrawal highlights the challenges of transitioning from clay to grass courts. Despite reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, she has struggled on the surface, with a 9-4 record in four previous appearances at the All-England Club."I feel like every year it's easier for me to adapt to grass," Swiatek said. "So I think there is no need to do that. I just need to continue the work that I've been doing."The Berlin event will provide an opportunity for other top players to gain momentum ahead of Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.