Teenager Mirra Andreeva stuns Aryna Sabalenka to make French Open semis – Times of India

PARIS: Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old Russian, served up a shock result late on Wednesday when she put out the No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka to power into the French Open semifinals.

Andreeva, the younger of the tennis-playing sisters from Krasnoyarsk, closed the 2-hour 29-minute Roland Garros last-eight clash with a lob that had sweet timing written all over it.

The world No.38, who was playing her first major quarterfinal, came through 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

Andreeva, making her second appearance at Roland Garros after reaching the third round as a qualifier in her debut last year, finished the last-eight clash with 43-winners to Sabalenka’s count of 40.

The teenager, who is being coached by the former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, constantly looked in the Spaniard’s direction during the match. Martinez, 52, who was as into the match as the teenager was, is a rock-solid presence in the stands.

Unfortunately for Sabalenka, one of the most consistent players in the majors, she was clearly struggling physically, perhaps with a stomach issue. She was treated by a doctor on the court.

“On the second matchpoint, I tried to imagine I was saving a breakpoint and I tried to play brave and managed to win,” Andreeva said in her on-court interview, before turning to the crowd on Philippe Chatrier. “I was a little surprised, you guys also cheered for me today. Thank you.”

In the last-four on Thursday, Andreeva plays the 12th seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini, another first time major semifinalist, who rattled the women’s draw earlier in the day when she upset the No.4 seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in 2-hours and 3-minutes.