---
title: "Ukrainians Snigur and Kalinina withdraw from WTA 500 Ningbo qualifying final but retain main draw chances"
description: "Daria Snigur and Anhelina Kalinina prematurely withdrew from the WTA 500 Ningbo qualifying final due to health issues. Both Ukrainians still have a chance to enter the main draw via a 'lucky loser' spot."
date: 2026-10-18T06:51:37.310Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainians-snigur-and-kalinina-withdraw-from-ningbo-qualifying
tags: [tennis, wta, ukraine, ningbo, daria-snigur, angelina-kalynina, lucky-loser]
author: "Inna Kinsheva"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

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

![Ukrainian tennis player on the court during a qualifying match in Ningbo](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/18/ukrayinki-znyalisya-s-kvalifikatsii-wta-500-v-ninbo/ukrayinki-znyalisya-s-kvalifikatsii-wta-500-v-ninbo-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Daria Snigur retired against Katarzyna Kawa after losing the first set 1:6 and taking a medical timeout.
- Anhelina Kalinina stopped playing against Aliaksandra Sasnovich due to hip trouble while trailing 3:5 in the first set.
- One vacant 'lucky loser' spot is available in the main draw, contested by Snigur and Kalinina as the highest-seeded qualifying final losers.
- Marta Kostyuk is the only Ukrainian guaranteed a spot in the WTA 500 Ningbo main draw, as Elina Svitolina previously withdrew.

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.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Драма украинок в финале: две теннисистки снялись с турнира в Китае, но еще имеют шанс вернуться](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/tennis/drama-ukrayinok-finali-dvi-tenisistki-znyalisya-1792306020.html) - The primary source contains all key facts: scores, retirement reasons, lucky loser rules, and the lineup of Ukrainians in Ningbo.

## FAQ

### Why did Snigur and Kalinina fail to finish their matches in Ningbo?

Both withdrew for medical reasons: Snigur took a timeout after losing the first set 1:6 and stopped at 0:2 in the second, while Kalinina called a trainer for hip issues while down 3:5 in the first set.

### Do the Ukrainian players still have a chance to reach the main draw?

Yes. There is one vacant 'lucky loser' spot, and per WTA rules, it is contested by the two highest-ranked losers of the qualifying final — Snigur and Kalinina.

### Which Ukrainian tennis players are guaranteed to play in the WTA 500 Ningbo main draw?

Only Marta Kostyuk is guaranteed to compete. Elina Svitolina, who was also entered, withdrew prior to the event.