No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek misplaced to a participant youthful than 18 for the primary time on tour when she was surprised by Mirra Andreeva within the Dubai Championships quarterfinals Thursday.
Andreeva, 17, received 6-3, 6-3 to change into the youngest semifinalist in Dubai’s 24-year historical past and attain the primary WTA 1000 semi of her profession.
Swiatek received their solely earlier match in August in Cincinnati, dropping the primary set and profitable 7-5 within the third. She conceded the primary once more Thursday and was a up a break within the second, however Andreeva reeled off the final 5 video games, finally sealing the victory when Swiatek’s return on match level went large.
“I used to be nervous earlier than the match,” mentioned Andreeva, ranked 14th. “I instructed myself I performed nice in our final match and I simply must preserve enjoying aggressive.”
It is her fifth win over a top-10 participant and second over a No. 2; she beat Aryna Sabalenka within the French Open quarterfinals final yr.
Andreeva discovered herself on the ropes early as she struggled to carry serve in her first service sport of the opening set however finally held on to make it 1-1.
She then broke Swiatek and continued to impress, masking the court docket properly whereas additionally studying her opponent’s pictures to arrange winners. Andreeva broke Swiatek as soon as extra, firing a forehand return down the road on set level.
The Russian teen will subsequent face sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina or Sofia Kenin.
Clara Tauson, who knocked out Sabalenka on Wednesday, defeated Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (4), 6-4 to succeed in her third semifinals of the yr. She’s going to play Sorana Cirstea or Karolina Muchova.
The Related Press and Reuters contributed to this report.