Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old tennis prodigy, shocked the Dubai Championships with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over Iga Swiatek, marking her fifth career win over a top-10 opponent. Swiatek, ranked No. 2 globally, had never before lost to a player under 18 until Thursday's historic upset.
Andreeva's aggressive baseline play neutralized Swiatek's signature forehand, particularly during a decisive five-game streak in the second set.
I kept reminding myself to stay bold like in Cincinnati,Andreeva stated post-match, referencing their prior three-set clash in 2023.
The Russian teenager now faces either Elena Rybakina or Sofia Kenin in Friday's semifinals. Key factors in her rise include:
- 31-5 record against top-50 players since 2023
- 28% improvement in first-serve win percentage since last season
- Three WTA semifinal appearances before turning 18
This result positions Andreeva to potentially break into the WTA's top 25 next week. Sports analysts highlight her exceptional anticipation skills, noting she converted 78% of break points against Swiatek compared to the tour average of 41%.