Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina refuses to shake hands with Russia’s Daria Kasatkina following defeat at Eatsbourne
- Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina refused to shake hands with Russia’s Daria Kasatkina
- Kasatkina has bravely spoken out against Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine
- Elsewhere at Eastbourne, Harriet Dart beat China’s Zhang Shuai 7-5, 6-7, 6-1
Next to Anhelina Kalinina’s name on the big screen of Eastbourne’s Centre Court was the Ukrainian flag. Next to Daria Kasatkina’s name was nothing, only a void accompanying Russia’s highest-ranking woman as she won 6-3, 6-1.
This Ukraine-Russia match-up caught attention on Monday and it is a scenario which could yet be repeated at Wimbledon after SW19 chiefs reversed their ban on Russian and Belarusian players. They can compete so long as they sign a declaration form which includes confirming they will show no support for their states’ regimes.
Kalinina refused to shake hands after her loss, though it is worth noting Kasatkina is different to her Russian compatriots who have stayed silent. The 26-year-old has bravely spoken out against Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine and when asked about the situation in her homeland, she said on Monday night: ‘It feels s***, honestly. I’m not going to hide it. It’s tough to face the circumstances for such a long time already. Me personally, I’m just trying to be a good human.
‘I have friends in Russia. My family, my parents are still in Russia. The last few days, it’s been a big mess there. Ukrainians, they are experiencing a way worse situation, but also I can feel the same. I’m very worried for the people I love.’
Elsewhere at Eastbourne, Harriet Dart beat China’s Zhang Shuai 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 despite sitting 105 places adrift in the world rankings, while Jodie Burrage defeated American Lauren Davis 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 despite sitting 84 places adrift.
Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina (R))refused to shake hands with Russia’s Daria Kasatkina (L) after losing at Eastbourne
Kasatkina of Russia has bravely spoken out against Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine
Burrage considers herself the luckiest of losers. After failing to qualify, she was driving to her parents’ home to pick up her black Labrador, Otto, when she received word that dropouts meant she could appear the main draw.
George Loffhagen, ranked 367th in the world and a recent recipient of a Wimbledon wildcard, came close to an almighty upset. He failed to convert a match point before losing 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 to Luca Van Assche, the Frenchman ranked 79th.
Britain’s Harriet Dart secured a 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 victory against China’s Zhang Shuai at Eastbourne