Ukrainians Snigur and Kalinina withdraw from WTA 500 Ningbo qualifying final but retain main draw chances

In the qualifying final of the WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo, China, two Ukrainian tennis players — Daria Snigur and Anhelina Kalinina — were unable to finish their matches. Both athletes prematurely ended their participation due to medical reasons; however, according to association rules, they still retain realistic chances of breaking into the main competition draw through the 'lucky loser' status.

Snigur drops first set and unable to continue

Top qualifying seed Daria Snigur lost the first set 1:6 in her match against Poland's Katarzyna Kawa. Afterward, she took a medical timeout, returned to the court, but after losing two more games in the second set (trailing 0:2), she decided to prematurely stop the match. According to sources, this is Snigur's first retirement since April 2026 and the first time since May that she will miss the main draw of a WTA tournament.

Kalinina calls for trainer due to hip issues

Following Snigur, the second qualifying seed Anhelina Kalinina also failed to finish her match. In her clash against 'neutral' tennis player Aliaksandra Sasnovich, the Ukrainian requested a medical timeout for hip issues at 3:5 in the first set before retiring from the match. Consequently, both Ukrainian players missed out on direct entry to the main draw, but alternative options remain open.

Vacant spot and draw between the two Ukrainians

There is currently one vacant 'lucky loser' spot in the tournament's main draw. According to WTA rules, if such a spot opens up, a draw is held between the two highest-ranked players who lost in the qualifying final. Since Snigur and Kalinina held the highest seedings in the qualifiers, they will compete for this position, effectively turning their medical retirements into a lifeline to continue in the tournament.

Which Ukrainian players are guaranteed to compete in Ningbo

At present, Marta Kostyuk is the only Ukrainian guaranteed to play in the main draw of the WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo. Elina Svitolina, who was also on the entry list, previously withdrew from the tournament. Thus, any additional Ukrainian presence in the main draw alongside Kostyuk will depend on the outcome of the 'lucky loser' draw between Snigur and Kalinina.