Anna Kalinskaya Defeats Julia Grabher in Straight Sets, 6–3, 6–3, in Australian Open Second Round

Anna Kalinskaya delivered a calm, commanding performance at the Australian Open today, brushing aside Austria’s Julia Grabher 6–3, 6–3 to book her place in the third round. On a sun-splashed Melbourne court, the Russian showed why she’s becoming one of the tour’s most dangerous dark horses—mixing consistency with controlled aggression to keep her opponent under pressure from start to finish.

From the opening games, Kalinskaya set the tone. She moved well behind the baseline, absorbed Grabher’s pace, and redirected it with sharp angles and depth. The first set saw both players trade early holds, but once Kalinskaya found her rhythm, the momentum shifted quickly. A crucial break in the middle of the set gave her the edge, and she closed it out with confident serving and tidy net play.

Grabher, known for her physicality and grit, tried to raise the intensity in the second set. She stepped inside the court more often and looked to rush Kalinskaya, but the Russian never panicked. Instead, she countered with smart shot selection—using heavy topspin to push Grabher back and then flattening out her forehand to finish points. Another well-timed break put Kalinskaya firmly in control, and she never let the lead slip.

What stood out most was Kalinskaya’s composure. In a tournament where nerves often get the better of players in the early rounds, she looked relaxed, focused, and completely in tune with her game plan. She didn’t overhit, didn’t force the issue unnecessarily, and trusted her patterns. That maturity paid off as she wrapped up the match in just over an hour.

This win is another reminder that Kalinskaya is more than capable of making a deep run at a Grand Slam. With her clean ball-striking, improved movement, and growing confidence, she’s starting to look like a player who can trouble higher-ranked opponents. Melbourne’s hard courts seem to suit her perfectly, giving her the platform to play aggressive tennis without sacrificing control.

For Grabher, the loss is disappointing, but she can take positives from moments where she competed well and tried to impose her physical style. For Kalinskaya, though, it’s all about momentum now. Each round brings tougher tests, but if she continues to play with this blend of patience and power, she could become one of the stories of this year’s Australian Open.

The message from this match is clear: Anna Kalinskaya isn’t just surviving in Melbourne—she’s building something. And the rest of the draw has been officially warned.