3 weeks ago
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The Philippine Star
February 22, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Teenager Mirra Andreeva stunned second seed Iga Swiatek to become the youngest woman to reach the semifinals of the Dubai Championships on Thursday, 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.
Swiatek had reached the semifinals at last week’s Qatar Open, where she was swept off court by Jelena Ostapenko.
Swiatek joined third seed Coco Gauff, who exited in her opening match, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, fourth-seeded defending champion Jasmine Paolini and fifth seed Jessica Pegula to be knocked out.
