Mirra Andreeva's status has changed: "Now I feel a certain pressure because people expect certain things of me".

Mirra Andreeva made her mark in Dubai. The 17-year-old Russian reached the biggest final of her career, eliminating world number 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals after a controlled match (6-3, 6-3).

The world's 14th-ranked player confirmed her position in the semi-finals, eliminating Elena Rybakina (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) in a thrilling match.

This Saturday, against Clara Tauson, Andreeva will be looking to claim the most prestigious title of her career, having already won a WTA Tour trophy in Iasi in July 2024. In the meantime, the Russian spoke of her change in status.

"Honestly, after playing in Doha and losing in the second round (to Rebecca Sramkova) with a lot of chances, I was feeling a bit down.

Last year, I didn't play very well on these courts in Dubai, so I said to myself: 'Well, that's fine, it doesn't matter what happened, I'll just play and we'll see'.

In the end, when you don't think about what's going to happen, it always ends up being one of the best tournaments of your career. I don't know if it's a paradox or what, but that's the way it is.

Right now, I'm under a certain amount of pressure because people expect certain things of me. They say: 'She's going to be number one, she's going to win Grand Slams, she's going to be a great player'.

It's easier for me to think that people say that because they're probably afraid of the way I play.

It helps me get on the court to prove to myself that I'm strong enough to handle the pressure and really win these very high-level matches," Andreeva assured Punto De Break.