Mirra Andreeva once again defeated Iga Swiatek as she progressed to the semi-finals in Stuttgart.
It was a tough match but just like in Dubai and Indian Wells last year, Andreeva knocked out Swiatek in a 3-6 6-4 6-3 win that lasted two hours and 36 minutes.
Despite being a set down and a break down in the deciding set, Andreeva fought back to reach the last four in Stuttgart.
After the match Andreeva praised her ‘fearless’ tennis as she targets the title in Germany, “I was just trying to be fearless,” Andreeva told the WTA website.
“I was trying to go for my shots because I know when I’m getting tight, I tend to just put the ball in… just waiting, praying for the opponent to make a mistake. And I knew that against someone like (Swiatek), it was never going to happen. So I was forcing myself to finish the match on my own.
“No matter what’s happening, I have to keep fighting. I can win from any score.”
Andreeva will now face Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals of Stuttgart after the top seed battled past Leylah Fernandez 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(6) in a three hour battle.
After saving two match points Rybakina edged past Fernandez and will now set a fourth meeting between the pair with Andreeva leading the head-to-head 2-1.
Ahead of the clash Andreeva detailed Rybakina’s strengths, “The last time I played against Rybakina was in Indian Wells,” Andreeva stated to the WTA website.
“Obviously she’s got a great serve. She likes to be offensive, she likes to go for her shots, and she’s also won this tournament here, so she knows how to play on this surface.”
The other semi-final will see Elina Svitolina take on Karolina Muchova after they scored wins over Linda Noskova and Coco Gauff.
A particularly notable win for Muchova who defeated Gauff for the first time in seven tries, “I feel her last-year clay season, Roland Garros champion, just incredible mover. So I just knew that I have to play really well to get a chance to win,” Muchova explained.
“I just tried to play my game, as well. I tried to slice it up, break her rhythm, and it was working today.”
The Stuttgart semi-finals begin at 1pm BST.
