Luckily, Rybakina Won The Italian Open After Kalinina Resigned Due To Injury

Elena Rybakina. (Instagram @lenarybakina)

JAKARTA - Kazakh Elena Rybakina won the Italian Open title on Saturday when her Ukrainian opponent Anhelina Kalinina was forced to withdraw due to injury.

World number six Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, was leading 6-4, 1-0 when Kalinina retired with a left thigh injury shortly after midnight in the final which was long delayed by rain.

Rybakina, 23, is the first player to win two WTA 1000 titles this season after winning the Indian Wells hardcourt tournament.

She was also runner-up at the Australian Open and in Miami.

"I wish Anhelina a speedy recovery, she is a good friend of mine," said Rybakina, as broadcast by AFP on Sunday.

"She has done a great job, I hope he can play at Roland Garros."

She also thanked fans who sat out for more than four hours because rain postponed the game.

"Today wasn't easy for the players - but it wasn't easy for you either," Rybakina said after the 68-minute final which only took place at 23.00 p.m. Rome time or around 04.00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

Elena Rybakina, who will climb to fourth in the world rankings ahead of the French Open, becomes the third woman to reach the finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, and Rome in the same season.

The other two are Monica Seles in 1991 and Maria Sharapova in 2012.

Rybakina, who was born in Russia, has now won 28 matches this season -- only world number two and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has won more, with 29.

Kalinina, 26, said her therapists had made her fit enough to compete until the end in Rome.

"I tried my best but I couldn't play," Kalinina said apologetically to the crowd after pulling out and Elena Rybakina was declared champion.