Anna Kalinskaya ended Emma Raducanu's hopes of reaching her first final since her 2021 US Open triumph, prevailing 6-4 6-3 in Saturday's semi-final clash.
The British player delivered moments of exceptional quality during the encounter, despite ultimately falling short.
One particular shot drew extraordinary praise from the Tennis TV commentator, who declared: "Oh it's outrageous. Just tennis from another planet."
It comes after Raducanu executed a spectacular forehand winner down the line at 3-3 in the opening set, leaving Kalinskaya motionless on court.
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|Emma Raducanu was aiming for her first final since the 2021 US Open
The spectators responded with enthusiastic applause whilst Kalinskaya herself acknowledged the brilliance of the shot, lifting her racket in appreciation before retreating to the baseline.
The 22-year-old created four opportunities to break serve during the opening set but failed to capitalise on any of them. This proved costly as Kalinskaya, positioned 48th in the world rankings, secured the crucial breakthrough in the ninth game.
The Russian's decisive break enabled her to claim the first set 6-4. Both players traded breaks early in the second set before Kalinskaya established another advantage that she maintained until the conclusion.
Despite the defeat, Raducanu's performance ensures she will reclaim the British number one position from Katie Boulter. The result marked another near-miss for Raducanu in her quest to reach a final for the first time in nearly four years.
Following the match, Kalinskaya reflected on the challenge posed by her opponent. "It was an interesting match. It's nice to play against Emma. I'm proud of myself. I stayed aggressive and stuck to my plan," the 26-year-old stated.
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|Despite an impressive performance it was not enough for Emma Raducanu to progress
She acknowledged having to withstand significant pressure during Raducanu's impressive spells of play. The Russian's ability to maintain her tactical approach proved crucial in securing victory.
Kalinskaya advances to Sunday's final where she will meet Canadian Leylah Fernandez. Fernandez earned her place in the championship match by defeating third-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.
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The Russian player sits just two ranking positions above Raducanu at 48th globally, highlighting the competitive nature of their semi-final encounter.
Raducanu's attention now shifts to the National Bank Open in Canada, where she faces world number 56 Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her opening match. The tournament could see her potentially meet Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova in later rounds.
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|Emma Raducanu will now turn her attention to the National Bank Open
The Canadian event is expected to be Raducanu's final competitive outing before the US Open. Her record at Flushing Meadows since her stunning 2021 victory has been disappointing, with the British player failing to progress beyond the opening round in subsequent appearances.
The semi-final run, whilst ending in disappointment, represents continued progress for Raducanu. Her return to the British number one ranking provides additional momentum as she prepares for the North American hard court swing.