List of records WTA shattered by Mirra Andreeva after defeating three Grand Slam champions at the Dubai Tennis Championships
Mirra Andreeva defeated Elena Rybakina in three sets to reach her first WTA 1000 final at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
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Mirra Andreeva (via X)
Mirra Andreeva has taken the women’s circuit by storm over the past two years. The Russian teenager, who reached the French Open semifinals last year, produced another statement performance at the Dubai Tennis Championship to reach her first career WTA 1000 final on Friday (February 21).
The 17-year-old first defeated Elina Avanesyan in the first round of the Dubai Championship in straight sets. She then played some of her best tennis to oust the 2023 Wimbledon Champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round. Andreeva continued her impressive performance in the Round of 16, where she dropped only two match points, defeating Peyton Stearns 6-1, 6-1.
Still yet to drop a set, she sent a crushing disappointment Iga Swiatek‘s game plan in the quarter-finals to beat the five-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets. The teenager then met 2022 Wimbledon Champions Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.
The World No.14 made a strong start against Rybakina by taking the opening set before the Kazakhstan star produced a solid serving display to level the match. Then, she took the momentum into the deciding set leading 3-1, but Andreeva would not be denied. The Russian star produced a composed comeback to the next five match points to earn her spot in the final.
It will be her first WTA 1000 final of her career. However, by defeating three Grand Slam champions, Andreeva became the youngest woman to do so since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004. Also, she became the youngest player (17 years and 298 days) to reach a WTA 1000 final, since the introduction of the format in 2009.
Mirra Andreeva believes the new US Open mixed doubles will be “really fun”
The US Open recently got the tennis world discussing the new mixed doubles format. The Grand Slam organizers announced that the mixed doubles will be decreased from 32 to 16 teams in the 2025 edition. Also, it will now be played a week before the main draw of the US Open.
Several players have expressed their desire to take part in the competition, notably Taylor Fritz. Mirra Andreeva revealed in her press conference after defeating Elena Rybakina that the mixed doubles format would be really fun.
I actually haven’t really thought about it. But I think it could be really fun. I think to have an opportunity to play with an ATP player on the same side of the court is great. Me, I don’t really care with who to play, if I would play.
Mirra Andreeva said via Dubai Tennis Championships Press
However, Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs has criticized the change, claiming it downgrades the level of competitiveness in the mixed doubles competition. It is yet to be revealed whether the format will draw fans.
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Victor Okechukwu
(747 Articles Published)