Mirra Andreeva continues to make noise and achieve new notable feats as the 17-year-old is now the youngest WTA player to reach the semifinal stage in Indian Wells since her idol Maria Sharapova in 2005.
On Thursday, the world No. 11 handled Elina Svitolina in straight sets 7-5 6-3 in the Indian Wells quarterfinal. Before beating the 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist, the Russian also beat Varvara Gracheva, reigning Auckland champion Clara Tauson and No. 7 seed Elena Rybakina.
By booking a semifinal ticket in the desert, Andreeva – who will celebrate her 18th birthday in April – emulated her idol Sharapova, who was also 17 when she made her first Indian Wells semis. What is interesting, the Russian tennis icon was also just one month removed from her 18th birthday when she reached the Indian Wells semifinal in 2005.
Andreeva will be hoping to do better in her first Indian Wells semis than Sharapova
In 2005, Sharapova’s deep run in the desert finished with a 0-6 0-6 semifinal loss to former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport. When Andreeva takes on Iga Swiatek on Friday, she definitely won’t want to see her first semis go that way.
Meanwhile, the Russian tennis icon had some major words of praise for the rising Russian star last year.
“I think she has a strong attitude [and] she has the game to back it up. Genuinely, just like her approach and her sensibility in the game. And I think she has a very bright future ahead of her,” the former five-time Grand Slam winner said of the 17-year-old in 2024.
A couple of weeks ago, Andreeva ousted Swiatek 6-3 6-3 in the Dubai quarterfinal. After that win, she also beat Rybakina and Tauson to clinch her first WTA 1000 title. When they meet again today, the world No. 11 will be looking to clinch back-to-back wins over the Pole and make it 11 straight wins for her.
Tennis World USA