Glamorous Russian tennis star Anna Kalinskaya was seen in tears after she left the court following her defeat to Iga Swiatek in the third round of the US Open.
Kalinskaya – who made headlines after losing a doubles match at the US Open on Friday – returned to the court on Saturday for her clash against the world No 2.
The Russian raced into an early lead and was 5-1 up in a flash, however she went on to lose four set points in the latter games. Swiatek fought back to win the set 7-6.
From there, the Polish star cruised to victory and clinched the second set 6-4, much to the disappointment of Kalinskaya.
After she left the court, the Russian was seen breaking down in tears in a corridor as she made her way back to her locker room.
Earlier this week, the controversial star angrily hit out at her American rivals after blowing a 5-1 lead in the first set of a doubles match at the US Open.
Anna Kalinskaya was seen in tears after she left the court following her defeat to Iga Swiatek
The Russian raced into an early lead in the first set and was 5-1 up in a flash, however she went on to lose four set points. Swiatek fought back to win the set 7-6.
Kalinskaya, partnering with Romania’s Sorona Cristea, lost 7-5, 6-4 to American pair McCartney Kessler and Peyton Stearns, despite racing into a 5-1 lead.
And to add to her fury, Stearns later shared an Instagram post mocking Kalinskaya’s error on match point.
When the Americans wrapped up victory, Kalinskaya waited at the net and had an exchange with Stearns, accusing her of repeatedly direspecting her beaten rivals.
According to Russian website Championat, Kalinskaya was unhappy that Stears and Kessler refused to apologize when their shots hit the net and bounced over.
‘I expected a little respect. I haven’t seen you apologize even once,’ the 26-year-old said.
The incident was spotted by fans watching the doubles game too, although American viewers naturally sided with their counterparts.
Kessler and Stearns did not give any public comment about Kalinskaya’s claims but Stearns reposted a celebratory post from former Ohio State tennis player Danielle Wolf, who was cheering her on from the stands.
‘Big dub (win),’ Wolf wrote, with four American flags on the post, before taking a shot at Kalinskaya. ‘We love a fh (forehand) shank on match point.’
Kalinskaya, 26, pictured out in New York last week before the US Open had started
It was Kalinskaya’s error on match point that handed Stears and Kessler the victory.
Stearns did, however, try and cover up Wolf’s taunt by posting three American flags over the message aimed at Kalinskaya.
The Russian has a chance to silence her critics on Saturday but it’s a huge challenge for the World No 29, who faces Wimbledon champion and No 2 seed Iga Swiatek on Saturday night.
It marks another controversial moment in a tournament that has gripped fans with the off-court drama up to now.
