New Delhi: Teenager Mirra Andreeva defeated Elena Rybakina by 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 and became the youngest player to reach the Dubai Championships final on Friday, February 21. Andreeva stunned five-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinal and former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova in the round of 32.
The French Open semi-finalist also became the youngest player to beat three grand slam winners at a single event since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Andreeva earned her first break of the match with a backhand return in game five and despite Rybakina’s quick response, the Russian got back in front and closed out the first set in the 46 minutes.
Rybakina gave a tough fight to the 17-year-old in the second set. The pair fought hard and remained neck and neck until Rybakina found an opening when Andreeva double-faulted to face two set points at 4-5. The Russian bounced the ball on the ground in frustration and received a code violation warning for ball abuse.
Rybakina made the first move in the third set and broke for a 3-1 advantage but Andreeva made a sensational comeback and swept the next five games to wrap up the victory in two hours and 15 minutes. Her ranking will rise to a career-high number 11 in the world by virtue of reaching the final.
She could also become the first 17-year-old to break the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova achieved that milestone in 2007 if she manages to lift the trophy on Saturday. She will face Clara Tauson in the final after the World Number 38 defeated Karolina Muchova by 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in a two-hour 52-minute tussle.
‘When you don’t think about how you’re going to play, you just play your best tennis’: Mirra Andreeva
After the win, Andreeva said that it’s crazy because at first, she was not very positive before coming to Dubai and when a player doesn’t think much about the game, then you just play your best tennis. In the end, it’s one of your best tournaments.
“Now I have some kind of pressure that people are expecting some things from me. People are saying, ‘She’s going to be number one, she’s going to win the Slams. She’s going to be great” said Andreeva.
Teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Elena Rybakina by 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 and became the youngest player to reach the Dubai Championships final on Friday, February 21. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
One thought on “Mirra Andreeva upsets Elena Rybakina to become youngest WTA 1000 finalist in Dubai”
Comments are closed.