Kalinskaya, who is from Russia, beat the Pole in two sets, 6-4 6-4, to set up a final with the Italian, Jasmine Paolini. It was only the second loss for Swiatek in 26 matches, after she won the Qatar Open last week.  Kalinskaya also managed to become the first player to beat Swiatek in straight sets in the past 11 months.

On her way to the final, Kalinskaya beat three of the top 10 players in the world, including third-seed Coco Gauff and number 9, Yelena Ostapenko.  

In the other semi-final, Paolini beat Sorana Cristea from Romania 6-2 7-6.  The 26-ranked Paolini will try to become the second Italian in two months to win a major tennis championship, after her male compatriot, Jannik Sinner, won the Australian Open earlier this year.  

It took Paolini just under two hours to slay Cristea, which means she is a victory away from her second tour title.

This will be the second meeting between Kalinskaya and Paolini.  They met each other in the fourth round of the Australian Open last month, with Kalinskaya the winner in that encounter.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger