Anhelina Kalinina vs Polina Kudermetova Prediction WTA Brisbane Tennis Picks 1/4/25

Anhelina Kalinina and Polina Kudermetova meet in the semifinal of the 2025 Brisbane International on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Here’s our Anhelina Kalinina vs Polina Kudermetova prediction. This preview will also include an Anhelina Kalinina vs Polina Kudermetova pick.

Anhelina Kalinina Preview

Anhelina Kalinina ended the fairytale run of Australia’s Kimberly Birrell in the quarterfinal in a high-quality three-setter. She saved one match point down 4-5 in the third set and prevailed 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and 40 minutes.

Kalinina, ranked 55th in the world rankings, dropped a set for only the second time this week against Birrell after committing 18 unforced errors and losing one of her service games in the opening set.

But the Ukrainian player produced a great response in the second set, reducing her unforced errors and increasing her winners’ tally to 13. Kalinina did not face a single break point in that set and broke Birrell twice. 

The third set was extremely tight, with the two players hitting at least 20 unforced errors, but Kalinina produced clutch tennis when it mattered and saved one match point thanks to some aggressive play with her forehand.

Kalinina finished the match with eight aces and four double faults. She won 86% of first-serve points (43/50) and 49% of second-serve points (22/45).

Polina Kudermetova Preview

Polina Kudermetova will contest her first WTA semifinal of her young career at the Brisbane International.

The 22-year-old Russian entered the tournament this past weekend ranked 107th in the WTA rankings, but she is now guaranteed to make her Top 100 debut when the new rankings are updated.

Of significance, Polina will pass her older sister Veronika in the official rankings next week regardless of Saturday’s result.

Kudermetova won two qualifying matches to reach the main draw and she hasn’t stopped winning. She beat countrywoman Liudmila Samsonova for a maiden Top 30 win and then upset World No. 9 Daria Kasatkina from 0-4 down in the third set.

In the quarterfinal, Kudermetova defied the odds yet again, this time beating Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets.

In the victory, Kudermetova tallied 29 winners and 24 unforced errors and landed 79% of first serves.

Kudermetova won 68% of first-serve points (39/57) and 67% of second-serve points (10/15) while converting two of four break points.

Anhelina Kalinina vs Polina Kudermetova Head-To-Head

• Kalinina and Kudermetova will meet for the first time at the 2025 Brisbane International.

Anhelina Kalinina vs Polina Kudermetova Prediction

Kalinina of Ukraine will be looking to reach her first WTA 500 final. Kudermetova, meanwhile, is seeking her first career final. While Kalinina is the experienced pro in this matchup, that will count for nothing as Kudermetova has won each of her four main draw matches against higher-ranked players as an overwhelming underdog. She almost played a flawless match against a subpar Ashlyn Krueger. And perhaps we need to acknowledge that this is a player who didn’t particularly have a long off-season, so it’s quite remarkable that her body is still holding up in high-intense situations.

Still, I think this is where Kudermetova’s great run comes to an end. Kalinina plays everywhere across the court and has a better forehand to withstand longer rallies. Kudermeotva will probably need to play out of her skin to win again, and given the emotional and physical toil of her week so far, it’s too much to ask.