Andreeva teen dreams continue as she makes Dubai final

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Andreeva teen dreams continue as she makes Dubai final

Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva has continued her giant-slaying exploits at the Dubai Tennis Championships by upsetting Kazakhstani sixth seed Elena Rybakina 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the semi-finals.

The 17-year-old French Open semi-finalist, who had stunned five-times grand slam champion Iga Swiatek in the quarters and former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova in the round of 32, is the youngest player to reach a WTA 1000 Final.

Andreeva also becomes the youngest player to beat three grand slam winners at a single event since compatriot Maria Sharapova in 2004.

Wimbledon 2022 champion Rybakina, ranked seventh in the world, let a slender 2-1 lead slip in a tight opening set as momentum swung back and forth before Andreeva came out on top in Friday’s clash.

But Rybakina forced a decider following a close second set where she had built a 4-3 lead and just as she looked to run away with the win after racing to a 3-1 lead in the final set, Andreeva roared back to win five successive games.

With the victory, world No.14 Andreeva also avenged her 2023 Beijing round-of-16 defeat against Rybakina.

“Last time we played it was a really tough match. She went for her shots and killed me in the end. This time I knew she’d hit hard. I tried to fight for every point and kept believing,” Andreeva said.

Up next for Andreeva in the final is either Clara Tauson, of Denmark, or Czech 14th seed Karolina Muchova.

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