MIDLAND, February 10, 2020 (Press Release)
Shelby Rogers claims the 2020 Dow Tennis Classic singles title after Anhelina Kalinina was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Sunday morning.
Tournament officials announced in an on-court presentation that Kalinina would be unable to compete in the championship match due to a right foot injury sustained earlier in the week.
“There are no words to describe how I am feeling. I am so sorry.” said Kalinina. “You have been here supporting me all week, so it is tough.”
The No. 7 seed defeated Valeria Savinykh, Maria Mateas, Caty McNally and Jamie Loeb en route to the final. After winning 10 ITF World Tennis Tour singles titles, the 23-year-old would have been playing in the largest final of her career.
With the announcement, Rogers claims the first $100K singles title of her career and sixth singles title overall. Rogers was also a doubles finalist in Midland in 2016 with Naomi Broady.
Thank you @DowTennisCL for an incredible week! Truly a world class event! Not the way I wanted to win it…but happy with the matches I did get to play! Thank you for all of your support and kind messages!
💞🤗🏆⛄️ pic.twitter.com/Go60LwLieY— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) February 9, 2020
“I am a little bit speechless right now. It is a little bit hard to accept and nobody wants to win this way,” said Rogers. “You were playing so well, and I was definitely preparing a little bit extra this morning to play you and bring my A game.”
Rogers missed 13 months (March 2018-April 2019) due to a knee injury suffered at Indian Wells in 2018. She ruptured cartilage in her left knee which required surgery and rehab. This is the second title overall since her comeback from knee surgery, and she offered a bit of advice to Kalinina.
“She is very young still and she will learn a lot from this,” said Rogers. “Going through an injury is not what you want, but you know everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that.”
Following the trophy presentation, tournament attendees were treated to a special exhibition match between Rogers and 2020 Dow Tennis Classic doubles finalist Yanina Wickmayer. Rogers defeated the Belgian 6-2, 7-6(6).
Next up, the USTA Pro Circuit is headed to Lexington, Kentucky for another $100,000 event beginning on Monday, February 10. Players expected to compete include Yanina Wickmayer, Caty McNally, Irina Falconi, Kayla Day and others.
