Andreeva topples Swiatek and reaches the last four in Dubai
The first quarter-final of the day at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai was a mouth-watering affair. It pitted Iga Swiatek, world number 2, against Mirra Andreeva, world number 14.
The 17-year-old Russian didn't lose a set on her way to the quarters, successively eliminating Elina Avanesyan (6-2, 6-1), Marketa Vondrousova (7-5, 6-0) and Peyton Stearns (6-1, 6-1).
For her part, the Pole is looking to reassure herself after her semi-final defeat by Ostapenko in Doha. This is the second meeting between Swiatek and Andreeva, following the Polish player's quarter-final victory in Cincinnati last year (4-6, 6-3, 7-5).
On cloud nine since the start of the week, the Russian got off to the best possible start. Solid on her serve, she broke Swiatek twice, which was enough for her to take the first set without any real problems.
The second, however, got off to a different start, with Swiatek finally managing to break Andreeva's serve at 1-1.
But the advantage was short-lived, and Andreeva, trailing 1-3, eventually took the lead for good, winning the last five games of the match.
In the end, Mirra Andreeva prevailed (6-3, 6-3 in 1h37) and qualified for her first ever WTA 1000 semi-final. She will face either Elena Rybakina or Sofia Kenin for a place in the biggest final of her career to date.
Following the elimination of Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, it's now Iga Swiatek's turn to leave Dubai.
This further opens up the field as we await the rest of the day's action. In addition to Rybakina-Kenin, the last two quarters will pit Tauson against Noskova and Cirstea against Muchova.
Dubaï 
