Dubai
Battling Cirstea rallies from the depths in Dubai

Sorana Cirstea pulled off the most daring escape act of her 17-year WTA career on Thursday, overhauling reigning Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2 to book the semi-finals in Dubai.
The 33-year-old Romanian ranked 22nd spent two and three-quarter hours in tossing out the formbook as she took down her seeded Czech opponent after trailing a set and 5-1.
She saved six match points in the second set as her fightback took hold.
“I didn’t expect to win this one,” she said. “But I looked over at the clock and I saw it was only one hour of play.
“I was having such great support. I said, Okay, let’s try to win one more game for the public, make it a little bit longer.
“That took the pressure away from me. I started to find my game. Of course, I’m very happy to pull this win through.”
She added: “I don’t remember winning from (so far down). I just found out I was six match points down.
“There was a moment in time where I kind of gave up with the idea of winning.
“I didn’t give up the fight and trying to give everything I have. It’s a lesson that in life we have to fight.. it doesn’t matter.”
Cirstea will play on Friday for a spot in her first Tour final since 2021 in Strasbourg, facing Jasmine Paolini.
The Italian earned a free ride when 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina withdrew from their quarter-final due to intestinal problems.
Paolini owns a 2-0 record over Cristea and will be confident heading in.
“I know better how Sorana is playing because I’ve played with her more times.
“But we’ll see. I’m trying to focus on my game, to try to do what’s best for me.”
Cirstea, who first played Dubai 15 years ago, ended with 46 winners and 49 unforced errors, breaking five times from 23 chances.
Cirstea has now beaten Vondrousova in their last three meetings and clocked her second Top 10 win of the season as she defeated the world No. 8.
She is into the semi-finals of an elite 1000-level tournament for the third time.
Dubai
Andreeva sister showdown ended by injury

Mirra Andreeva advanced 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday at the WTA Stuttgart event when her big sister Erika was forced to quit their match with a right knee injury.
Her 17-year-old sibling advanced to the last 16 on the indoor clay in this German car-making capital in 41 minutes,
Erika, a lucky loser from qualifying, held the edge in the sister series after a Tour win last autumn in Wuhan.
She needed a visit from the trainer for her strapped knee at the first changeover of the match and was never in with a chance against her sister, ranked seventh in the world.
Mirra, winner of back-to-back 1000-level titles this season in Dubai and Indian Wells, said her 20-year-old sibling led her into tennis
“”She started playing some tournaments and she showed me the way. Because of her, it was easier for me to start playing bigger tournaments right away.”
Mirra said it felt strange facing her close relative. “I honestly have weird emotions,. I should be a little bit happy that I won the match, but still I’m super sad it ended like that.”
The win came on the birthday of Mirra’s coach Conchita Martinez, who was serenaded by the crowd post-match.
Main photo:-Erika and Mirra Andreeva – by WTATennis.com
Dubai
Kasatkina confirms move to Australia

Daria Kastakina will make an immediate move to Australia and take over the title as national No. 1 as a result.
The 12th-ranked WTA player announced on social media that she has gained permanent residence in Oz; the Russian-born 27-year-old has based herself in Dubai and Spain for the last several seasons.
“I am delighted to let you all know that my application for permanent residency has been accepted by the Australian Government,” Kasatkina posted.
“Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.
She has stayed well away from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, fearful that her antiwar stance and gay lifestyle would make life dangerous.
“I will always have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, but I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag. Thank you all for your understanding and continued support.”
Dubai
Andreeva arrives among the elite with IW title win

Mirra Andreeva stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday, winning her second consecutive WTA 1000-level title in less than a month.
The Indian Wells upset by the 17-year-old backed up the youngster’s Dubai title barely a fortnight ago; victory takes her to sixth in the rankings on Monday..
Andreeva held her nerve in a tight showdown, losing the opening set and drawing a warning for firing balls into the stands in anger.
But she re-grouped in the second, breaking for a 2-1 lead as she converted after wasting her first eight break points against the top seed. She levelled the set with her fifth ace, storming into the deciding chapter.
Andreeva broke to start and end the set for a title victory in just over two hours.
She extended her match win streak to 12 in a row as she picked up a third career title after facing Sabalenka for the third time this season.
Andreeva is the third youngest player to win the Indian Wells title after Martina Hingis in 1998 and Serena Williams (1999) and youngest finalist here since Kim Clijsters in 2001.
Andreeva, who also beat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in her sprint to the title, leads the WTA with 19 wins this season.
“Last but not least, I’d like to thank myself for fighting til the end and always believing in me. For never quitting,” she said at the trophy presentation.
“I was running like a rabbit today because Aryna, she keeps sending bullets,” the winner added.
Sabalenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, accepted defeat with good grace, joking about the much smaller runner-up trophy she received.
“I kind of have a love hate relationship with this place,” the 2023 finalist said.
“I’ll just put this trophy on top of another one and pretend it’s the winners one.. similar size.”
Main photo:- 17 year old Mirra Andreeva celebrates winning IW title – by ISF Ltd
-
Dubai3 weeks ago
Kasatkina confirms move to Australia
-
ATP4 weeks ago
Henman joins Team Europe as Noah’s assistant
-
ATP4 weeks ago
Dimitrov casts his spell on Khachanov
-
Rouen5 days ago
Dart apologizes for “stinky” opponent jibe
-
Miami Open4 weeks ago
Paolini powers past Osaka in Miami
-
ATP3 weeks ago
Badosa aims for back injury return by Madrid
-
Miami Open4 weeks ago
Raducanu set for huge rankings boost after Miami Open win
-
Miami Open4 weeks ago
Philippine teen swats Swiatek in Miami