Watch: Anna Kalinskaya's pet dog runs into court to celebrate her win over Emma Raducanu

26-year-old will face Leylah Fernandez in the DC Open title clash

Last updated: July 27, 2025 | 14:38

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

1 MIN READ

Anna Kalinskaya celebrates with her dog Bella on the court after winning her women's singles match against Emma Raducanu of the United Kingdom on day 6 of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2025 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

AFP

Dubai: Russian tennis star Anna Kalinskaya celebrated a special moment at the DC Open semi-final — not just with a win, but with a heartwarming cameo from her pet dog, Bella. After defeating British player Emma Raducanu 6-4, 6-3, the 26-year-old was followed around the court by Bella, who ran out to join her owner, tail wagging, before being lifted into the air to cheers from the Washington crowd.

This wasn’t Bella’s first appearance on court. Just a day earlier, she had made a similar dash after Kalinskaya's straight-sets victory over No 4 seed Clara Tauson. The pint-sized pup has quickly become a fan favorite, even earning her own courtside chair and towel to sit on during matches.

As Kalinskaya eyes her first WTA title, Bella’s growing presence is adding charm to her campaign.

Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez outlasted 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in a marathon match, winning 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) after an intense three hours and 16 minutes on Saturday.

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Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

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