Seventeen-year-old Mirra Andreeva produced the biggest win of her young career, defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Championships. The Russian teenager, playing with fearless aggression, dismantled the four-time Grand Slam champion to secure her first-ever WTA 1000 semi-final.
Andreeva, the 12th seed, became the youngest semi-finalist in the tournament’s history, marking a dramatic improvement from last year’s first-round exit. Her victory added to a week of upsets, coming just a day after world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s shock elimination. Despite her nerves heading into the match, Andreeva stuck to her attacking game plan.
“Honestly, I was really nervous before the match,” she admitted. “We played in Cincinnati last year, and it was pretty intense. I just told myself to play aggressively and go for my shots.”
Swiatek, who had dominated their previous meeting, was caught off guard by Andreeva’s shot-making and composure. The teenager broke Swiatek’s serve twice in the opening set, finishing with a stunning forehand return down the line. Her movement and tactical awareness frustrated the Polish star, who struggled to find her usual rhythm.
The second set saw Swiatek briefly regain control, surging to a 3-1 lead. However, Andreeva responded emphatically after a courtside chat with her coach, Conchita Martínez, reeling off five straight games to complete the upset. “She didn’t tell me anything new, just to keep going and go for my shots,” Andreeva said.
