DUBAI, Feb 20: No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek lost to a player younger than 18 for the first time on tour when she was stunned by Mirra Andreeva in the Dubai Championships quarterfinals on Thursday.The 17-year-old Andreeva won 6-3, 6-3 to become the youngest semifinalist in Dubai’s 24-year history.Swiatek took their only previous match last August in Cincinnati, losing the first set and winning 7-5 in the third. She conceded the first again and was a break up in the second, but Andreeva reeled off the last five games.
“I was nervous before the match,” No. 14-ranked Andreeva said. “I told myself I played great in our last match and I just need to keep playing aggressive.” It’s her fifth win over a top-10 player and second over a No. 2 – she beat Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open quarterfinals last year.The Russian teen will next face sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina or Sofia Kenin. (PTI)
