Seventeen-year-old Mirra Andreeva produced the biggest win of her young career on Thursday, shocking World No2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. With a composed and fearless display, the Russian became the youngest player to make the final four since the tournament’s inception in 2001, sealing a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the four-time Grand Slam winner.
Swiatek had been the favourite for the title after World No1 Aryna Sabalenka’s early exit on Wednesday night. Less than 24 hours later, she too was heading home, outplayed by Andreeva, who at 17 years and 297 days, is now the youngest semi-finalist in the 25-year history of the women’s event.
Last time we played, it was a close, intense match: This time, I told myself to go for my shots, be aggressive, not hesitate. If I’m here, I play my best, I fight for every ball. No matter what’s happening — whether I win or lose — I just go for it.
Next up, No12 seed Andreeva faces World No7 Elena Rybakina, who booked her place in the semis with a 6-2, 7-6(2) win over American wildcard Sofia Kenin. A Dubai finalist in 2020, Rybakina is well aware of the threat posed by her teenage opponent.
For sure, she has nothing to lose now. She’s playing really well, very dangerous. She’s quick, physically strong, serving well. If she keeps playing like this, it won’t be easy, but I’ll try to recover and be ready.
Asked about the shift from being an underdog to a Grand Slam champion with a target on her back, the 2022 Wimbledon winner reflected on her own rise.
Before, I was just going out there, enjoying it, playing free. But when you’re a top player, everybody wants to beat you. Andreeva has so much ahead of her — she’s definitely dangerous.
In the other semi-final, unseeded Dane Clara Tauson will take on No14 seed Karolina Muchova, who defeated Sorana Cirstea in the late match. Tauson, fresh off her shock straight-sets win over Sabalenka, admitted she feared a dip in form against Linda Noskova. Those worries proved unfounded, as she came through 7-6(4), 6-4 to continue her dream run.
The level I had against Sabalenka, you maybe hit five or six times a year. I was texting one of my best friends last night, saying, ‘I played great today, so I’ll probably play badly tomorrow.’ But I didn’t, and I’m really happy about that… otherwise, I would have lost for sure.
Now, just four players remain. And with a week of upsets already behind them, anything feels possible.
