Victoria Azarenka delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2025 tennis season when she overcame Anhelina Kalinina in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, showcasing her mental toughness, tactical brilliance, and unwavering fighting spirit.
Table of Contents
A Shocking Start – Kalinina Dominates Early
In the opening set, Kalinina played with confidence, dictating play with deep groundstrokes and well-timed aggression. Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, struggled to find her rhythm, committing unforced errors and failing to put pressure on her Ukrainian opponent. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, and it all started with her slow start that put her on the back foot early in the match.
Kalinina capitalised on Azarenka’s tentative play, breaking her serve twice and comfortably closing out the first set 6-2. The Belarusian veteran seemed out of sorts, unable to counter Kalinina’s power and precision. Many believed the match was all but over when Kalinina continued her dominance into the second set. However, we will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, proving that champions never give up.
Azarenka’s Tactical Struggles in the Second Set
As the second set began, Kalinina showed no signs of slowing down. She raced to a 5-2 lead, appearing poised to complete an impressive straight-sets victory. Azarenka looked frustrated, struggling to match Kalinina’s energy and shot selection. At this stage, we will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, by breaking down the key adjustments she made to turn the match around.
Azarenka’s first major adjustment was her return positioning. Instead of standing too far behind the baseline, she moved up to cut off Kalinina’s angles and apply pressure. This subtle but crucial change disrupted Kalinina’s rhythm, forcing her into more errors. Additionally, Azarenka began mixing up her shots, incorporating more slices and drop shots to break the baseline exchanges. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, by highlighting her ability to adapt mid-match, something only the best players can do under immense pressure.
Mental Resilience – The Key to Azarenka’s Comeback
Down 6-2, 5-2, Azarenka faced match points but refused to surrender. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, by focusing on her mental resilience, which played a crucial role in her comeback.
Many players in Azarenka’s position would have crumbled, but the Belarusian remained composed, saving match points with courageous shot-making. She forced Kalinina to hit extra balls and kept believing in her ability to turn the match around. This belief fuelled a remarkable run, as she broke Kalinina’s serve at 5-2, then held her own, and ultimately levelled the set at 5-5.
We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, and it is clear that her ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations separated her from her opponent. While Kalinina started to feel the weight of the moment, Azarenka thrived under pressure, playing her best tennis when it mattered most.
Azarenka’s Physical Endurance and Aggressive Play
Tennis is not just a mental battle but also a test of physical endurance. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, by examining her superior fitness levels and aggressive play.
As the match wore on, Azarenka began to dictate rallies with her trademark powerful groundstrokes. She stepped into the court, flattening her shots and forcing Kalinina onto the defensive. Her movement, which had seemed sluggish in the first set, improved significantly as she chased down balls and extended rallies.
Kalinina, on the other hand, started showing signs of fatigue. Her once-precise shots began to miss their mark, and Azarenka took full advantage. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, by pointing out how she recognised Kalinina’s fatigue and played more aggressively to exploit her opponent’s fading endurance.
Decisive Third Set – Azarenka’s Dominance
After completing her comeback in the second set, Azarenka had all the momentum going into the deciding third set. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, by highlighting how she maintained her intensity and didn’t let her level drop.
Kalinina tried to regroup, but Azarenka was relentless. She broke Kalinina’s serve early in the final set, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance. Her confidence soared, and she played with the authority of a champion, keeping her opponent under constant pressure.
Kalinina, having missed her chance to close out the match, struggled to find her earlier form. We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, and it is evident that once the tide turned, Kalinina had no answers to Azarenka’s relentless attack.
The final set ended in a 6-2 victory for Azarenka, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory. From being down and nearly out, she clawed her way back with sheer determination, tactical brilliance, and unwavering belief in her abilities.
Lessons from Azarenka’s Comeback
We will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, and in doing so, we can draw several lessons from her extraordinary performance.
- Never Give Up – Azarenka proved that no match is over until the final point is played. Her resilience in saving match points was a testament to her champion mentality.
- Adaptability is Key – Recognising what wasn’t working, Azarenka made tactical adjustments that helped her regain control. Changing her return position and mixing up her shots were crucial decisions.
- Fitness and Endurance Matter – While Kalinina started strong, she couldn’t maintain her level physically. Azarenka, on the other hand, got stronger as the match progressed, using her superior endurance to wear down her opponent.
- Pressure Can Break Even the Strongest Players – Kalinina played flawless tennis until the pressure of closing out the match got to her. Azarenka, having been in these situations before, handled the pressure better and turned the match around.
Conclusion
In the end, we will analyse in detail how Azarenka overcame Kalinina in Dubai despite being down 6-2, 5-2, and it is clear that her experience, mental strength, and tactical intelligence played a crucial role in this unforgettable victory. This match will go down as one of the greatest comebacks in women’s tennis, further cementing Azarenka’s legacy as one of the sport’s most tenacious competitors.
For tennis fans, this match served as a reminder that in sport, as in life, anything is possible with the right mindset and determination. Azarenka’s win in Dubai was not just about tennis; it was about resilience, belief, and the will to fight against the odds—something every athlete and fan can take inspiration from.