Kalieva takes down top seeds to win San Diego Open ITF-100

SAN DIEGO — Elvina Kalieva didn’t just survive a demanding week at the San Diego Open ITF W100. She steadily raised her level with every match.

On Saturday at Barnes Tennis Center, the No. 5 seed capped a five-match run by defeating No. 2 seed Elizabeth “Elli” Mandlik 3–6, 6–3, 6–1, continuing a tournament-long pattern of absorbing early pressure, adjusting on the fly, and pulling away when it mattered most.

“I was really nervous. I think that was pretty obvious,” Kalieva said. “We were both nervous. We didn’t have many rallies going. But then throughout the match, I kind of loosened up and started to play a little bit better, started to get more balls in the court.”

Kalieva’s confidence in San Diego didn’t come out of nowhere. She opened the tournament with two composed straight-set wins, defeating Sara Daavettila 6–2, 6–3 in the first round and Vivian Wolff by the same scoreline in the second.

Those early matches laid the foundation for her breakout result of the week: a third-round victory over top seed Louisa Chirico, 7–6 (9–7), 6–3, in a tightly contested match that tested her composure under pressure.

She carried that momentum into the quarterfinals, where she outlasted wild card and former world No. 13 Jennifer Brady in three sets, despite uncertainty about whether she’d even be able to take the court. In the match against Chirico, Kalieva rolled her ankle, and was still working through the injury.

“Before the match, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to play,” Kalieva said. “But once I started playing, it kind of got better. Maybe adrenaline kicked in. Advil also kicked in.”

“I feel like every match I was playing, I felt like I was playing better and better,” she added. “It’s all about confidence for me.”

That confidence was tested early against Mandlik, the No. 2 seed whose worldwide rank has reached a high of 97.

Kalieva struggled to settle in during the first set, particularly on return. In Mandlik’s five service games, Kalieva failed to return serve 14 times, even though Mandlik hit just one ace. Several fortunate net-cord winners also went Mandlik’s way.

Still, Kalieva stayed engaged.

“Well, the match is not over until it’s over,” she said. “If I lost the first set, doesn’t mean the match [is] over. So I try to just fight every point and see where it goes.”

Mandlik took the opening set 6–3, but the tone of the match began to change almost immediately.

In the second set, rallies grew longer and Kalieva’s return game came alive. She missed just three returns across Mandlik’s four service games, forcing extended points.

“I kind of liked how I found a way to win,” Kalieva said. “Because in the beginning it was a rocky start, but I’m glad that I found a way to get through it.”

The set featured four deuce games and multiple momentum swings. Mandlik found some success at the net, but frustration crept in late as she questioned calls and unsuccessfully used all of her challenges.

Kalieva remained steady.

“I try to stay focused. That’s all,” she said.

She broke Mandlik at 5–3 and held to take the set 6–3.

The third set showed just how much Kalieva had grown over the course of the week.

Mandlik’s opening service game stretched into the longest of the match, with four deuces and four break-point opportunities. Kalieva converted the fourth and never looked back. She moved well, her winners came more freely, and her confidence showed.

In her final service game, Kalieva struck three winners to go ahead 5–1.

Mandlik managed one break to get her only game of the set, but Kalieva broke serve four times in the final set to close out the match 6–1.

Across five matches, Kalieva defeated the No. 1 seed, the No. 2 seed, a former world No. 13, and stayed focused even when trailing.

“Well, I liked how I found a way to win,” she said.

At just 22 years old, that ability to problem-solve under pressure may be the most important takeaway of all.

“I love it in San Diego,” Kalieva said. “I wish there were more tournaments so I could come back.”

With the ways she raised her game this week, the fans certainly hope she returns soon.

Kayla Cross and Alana Smith defeated Catherine Harrison and Dalayna Hewitt to win the Women’s Doubles with a dominating 6-2, 6-3 victory on Saturday.