DUBAI – Teenager Mirra Andreeva stunned second seed Iga Swiatek to become the youngest woman to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships, attributing victory to working on her “anger inside”.
The 17-year-old Russian came from a break down in the second set to win 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 36 minutes and continue the cull of the leading seeds in Dubai.
The 14th-ranked Andreeva, who reached the semifinals at the French Open last year, is the youngest player to record five Top 10 wins since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.”Last time we played was a close match and it was tough, it was intense,” said Andreeva.
“This time I just tried to tell myself to go for my shots, to be aggressive, to not hesitate. I think that helped me to win in a way.”
World number one Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, blamed a lack of focus and motivation for her last-16 defeat at the Dubai tennis Championships, where she fell 6-3 6-2 to world number 38 Clara Tauson.
Sabalenka, who won the Qatar Open in 2020, suffered a second-round defeat to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Doha last week.
Three times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka started her season with a title in Brisbane but has struggled for form after failing to win a third consecutive Australian Open last month.
“I’d say that for the last couple of years, I’m not doing well in the Middle East. I believe we need to change something in the preparation because every time I don’t feel well playing here,” the 26-year-old Belarusian said after the match.
“Even health-wise I’m struggling. Australia always taking a lot of energy out of me,” Sabalenka added according to Reuters.
“I believe that I’m not that hungry on court. I’m kind of like all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent. The decisions I’m making on the court are a bit wrong and emotionally I’m not on my best.”
The 22-year-old Dane broke Sabalenka’s serve six times to secure her first WTA 1000 quarter-final spot. Her victory also served as payback for her third-round loss to Sabalenka at Melbourne Park.
“Last time, I had my chances, but I didn’t take them,” Tauson said. “I was really free in my mind. I knew she had to beat me and I’m the underdog all the way, and I was really enjoying my time out on the court.”
Elena Rybakina, seeded sixth, beat Paula Badosa 4-6 7-6(8) 7-6(2) to make the quarter-finals.
World number two Iga Swiatek cruised through the last eight with a 7-5 6-0 win over Ukranian Dayana Yastremska while Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini’s Dubai title defence ended with a 6-4 6-0 loss to American wildcard Sofia Kenin.
The 22-year-old Dane posted the first top-five win of her career against Sabalenka, and just her second over a top-10 opponent to set up a quarter-final clash with Linda Noskova, who upset world No 5 Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (10/8).
“I’ve had some crazy 24 hours. I think I slept maybe five hours last night. We went to sleep at 3:30am and I didn’t know what shape I was going to come out here in. But a pretty good one it seems,” said Tauson, who avenged her defeat to Sabalenka from last month’s Australian Open.
“Last time I had my chances too but I didn’t take them and I was really free in my mind,” Tauson added according to AFP.
“I knew she had to beat me, I’m the underdog all the way. So I was really enjoying my time out here on court and I’m just looking forward to the next one now.”
