This will be the first tour final on grass (the second of her career after Dubai earlier in 2024). Kalinskaya will also break into the world’s top 20 for the first time on Monday after her run this week, with her current live ranking moving to No 17 after her semi-final win.
Earlier in the week, the Russian beat Japanese qualifier Nao Hibino (2-6, 6-4, 6-2), No 5 seed Marketa Vondrousova (5-5 ret.) and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed (5-1 ret.).
Azarenka, ranked No 19, won against Greek Maria Sakkari, the No 7 seed (6-4, 6-2), qualifier Zeynep Sonmez (6-3, 6-3) and Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 3 seed (3-1 ret.) in the previous rounds of the tournament.
Berlin WTA 500, other semi-final match (Rot-Weiss Tennis Club, grass, USD 922.573):
