What many expected to be an Aryna Sabalenka-Elena Rybakina semi final has turned out to be a match with neither of them. Jasmine Paolini and Mirra Andreeva both secured shock wins to secure their spot in a slam semi final for the first time. They met for the first time in Madrid with Andreeva coming out on top in straight sets.
Andreeva held her nerve in a chaotic three setter with Aryna Sabalenka, eventually coming through against a suffering second seed. She hit 43 winners in the 6-7 6-4 6-4 win, coming from a break down in both of the last two sets to come through. “I see the game, I just play wherever I want, I don’t even have a plan. When I see an open space, I try to hit there.” she said. “Me and my coach had a plan today, but I didn’t remember anything during the match. I just tried to play as I feel.”
Paolini recovered from blowing a set and break lead to finally take the match in three against Elena Rybakina. She held strong against the Kazakh’s serve, eventually breaking late on to take the match 6-2 4-6 6-4. The win means she will be in the Top 10 for the first time and she could go as high as No. 5 with an unlikely title.
Such is the dramatic nature of Andreeva’s rise at still only 17, this match will be her first semi final at WTA level. An improved serving day is definitely needed for the Russian but she has a smart game that could make things difficult for a nervy Paolini, who may see this as her now or never moment for making a final. The impetus will be on the Italian to go more aggressively, a strategy that could get ugly if nerves do hit.
Prediction – Mirra Andreeva in three sets
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