Anhelina Kalinina recovered from a second-set lapse to defeat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in the opening round at Madrid on April 22, 2026. The Ukrainian controlled both the first and third sets on clay, converting seven of 14 break point opportunities against an opponent struggling on the surface.
Kalinina raced through the opening set behind aggressive return games, breaking Rakhimova four times while committing just two double faults. The second set saw momentum shift as both players endured service struggles—Kalinina’s seven total double faults matched Rakhimova’s eight—but the Russian capitalized on four break chances to force a decider. The final set mirrored the first: Kalinina’s clay-court experience and superior second-serve returns (43% points won versus Rakhimova’s 34%) broke Rakhimova’s resistance twice more to close out the match in two hours and advance to the Round of 64.
Key Takeaways
- Kalinina’s clay pedigree showed in the decisive sets—her 60% career clay-court win rate dwarfs Rakhimova’s 46%, and she dominated frames one and three 6-2 apiece while winning 104 total points to Rakhimova’s 93.
- Break point conversion separated the two struggling competitors: Kalinina converted exactly 50% (7 of 14), while Rakhimova managed just 57% (4 of 7) but faced nearly twice as many break opportunities, exposing service fragility on both sides.
- The second-serve differential proved critical across three sets—Kalinina won 43% of points on her second delivery compared to Rakhimova’s meager 34%, a nine-percentage-point gap that allowed the Ukrainian to weather her own seven double faults.
- Both players entered Madrid ice-cold with identical 2-8 records in their last 10 matches, but Kalinina’s return to clay—her strongest surface—reversed recent hard-court misery while Rakhimova’s below-.500 clay record left her exposed in the opener.
Player Analysis
Anhelina Kalinina
Kalinina’s performance was uneven but ultimately effective, leaning on her superior clay-court résumé to outlast an equally out-of-form opponent. Her 63% first-serve percentage and 61% success rate winning those points kept Rakhimova from gaining consistent traction, while seven double faults betrayed lingering confidence issues from a brutal eight-loss stretch on hard courts. The Ukrainian’s ability to win 43% of second-serve points—well above Rakhimova’s mark—allowed her to survive 14 break point opportunities against and still convert half her own chances.
What stood out was Kalinina’s tactical reset after dropping the second set. She reverted to the aggressive baseline positioning that earned her quarterfinal runs in Madrid’s past, breaking Rakhimova’s serve twice in the decider without facing a single break point. With 104 total points won and a more efficient return game, Kalinina demonstrated that surface comfort can overcome poor recent form—her 27-18 clay career record suggests this opener could spark a turnaround.
Kamilla Rakhimova
Rakhimova showed flashes of competitiveness in the second set, saving three of seven break points faced overall and capitalizing on Kalinina’s service wobbles to claim the frame 7-5. But her 57% first-serve percentage and especially the 34% second-serve points won—a glaring weakness throughout—left her vulnerable whenever rallies extended beyond the opening exchange. Eight double faults didn’t help, though her ability to create seven break opportunities (converting four) suggested the Russian can construct points when given chances.
The underlying numbers expose a player ill-suited to clay warfare: Rakhimova’s 18-21 career clay record and recent hard-court schedule offered no foundation to sustain the second-set momentum. She won just 93 total points across three sets and couldn’t solve Kalinina’s second-serve returns, which neutralized any serving parity. For a player already 2-8 in her last 10 matches, this first-round exit extends a troubling trend and raises questions about match fitness ahead of the European clay swing.
Match Statistics
| Anhelina Kalinina | Stat | Kamilla Rakhimova |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Aces | 3 |
| 7 | Double Faults | 8 |
| 63% | 1st Serve % | 57% |
| 61% | 1st Serve Points Won | 59% |
| 43% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 34% |
| 7/14 | Break Points Won | 4/7 |
| 104 | Total Points Won | 93 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Anhelina Kalinina vs Kamilla Rakhimova at Madrid 2026?
Anhelina Kalinina defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in the opening round of the Madrid WTA tournament on April 22, 2026.
How many break points did Kalinina convert against Rakhimova?
Kalinina converted 7 of 14 break point opportunities (50%), while Rakhimova won 4 of 7 (57%) but faced twice as many break chances throughout the match.
Who won the Madrid WTA Round of 128 match between Kalinina and Rakhimova?
Anhelina Kalinina won in three sets, dominating the first and third frames 6-2 apiece after dropping the second set 5-7.
What were the key statistics in the Kalinina vs Rakhimova Madrid match?
Kalinina won 104 total points to Rakhimova’s 93 and posted a decisive 43% second-serve points won compared to Rakhimova’s 34%, a nine-percentage-point gap that proved critical across three sets.
What’s Next
Kalinina advances to the Round of 64, where she’ll seek her first back-to-back wins since early 2024 and attempt to replicate the Madrid success that carried her to the quarterfinals in 2022.
