World No. 1 Iga Świątek has advanced to the semifinals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati after a tense and hard-fought victory against 17-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva. The 23-year-old Polish player displayed her trademark resilience, overcoming the Russian teenager 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, to stay in contention for another prestigious title.
The match saw Andreeva make a strong start, breaking Świątek’s serve in the third game and building a 3-1 lead. Świątek had multiple chances to level the score, particularly in the sixth and tenth games, but was unable to convert four break points. Andreeva capitalized on her momentum, closing out the first set with an ace, putting Świątek on the back foot.
In the second set, Świątek shifted gears, asserting control early on. She raced to a 3-0 lead, breaking Andreeva’s serve and dictating the pace. Although Andreeva managed to hold serve later in the set, Świątek maintained her dominance, comfortably taking the set 6-3 without dropping a point in the final game.
The deciding set was a nail-biter, with both players holding serve through the first ten games. As the match approached its climax, Świątek found her breakthrough in the eleventh game, breaking Andreeva’s serve on her second opportunity. Serving for the match, Świątek faced a break point but held her nerve, converting her first match point to clinch the set 7-5.
🇵🇱 IGA ŚWIĄTEK W PÓŁFINALE! Polka pokonała Mirrę Andreevą 4:6, 6:3, 7:5. O finał WTA 1000 w Cincinnati zagra z Aryną Sabalenką lub Liudmilą Samsonovą.
— Z kortu – informacje tenisowe | Tennis news (@z_kortu) August 17, 2024
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🇬🇧 IGA ŚWIĄTEK IN THE SF! She beats Mirra Andreeva 4:6, 6:3, 7:5.… pic.twitter.com/9MHyZkDasc
Iga Świątek – Mirra Andreeva 2-1 (4:6, 6:3, 7:5)