Swiatek withstands huge test from Andreeva to reach Cincinnati semi-finals
The world No 1 edged past Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the last four, where she’ll play either Aryna Sabalenka or Liudmila Samsonova
Iga Swiatek, Cincinnati Open, 2024 © Zuma / Panoramic
Iga Swiatek came through a fascinating encounter against precocious 17-year-old talent Mirra Andreeva, eventually overcoming the young Russian 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to move into the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open, notching her 30th WTA 1000 win of the season in the process.
It was a massive test for the world No 1, who was pushed all the way by a typically impressive Andreeva in what was an engrossing affair.
Despite the relatively sparse attendance for the first match up on a warm south Ohio morning, this contest had the unmistakable aura of a seminal maiden meeting in a potential rivalry for the ages.
While Swiatek is six years Andreeva’s senior, the early arrival of this prodigious young Russian has already loudly signalled danger to the WTA’s highest elite. The pair should share the best part of ten years or more on tour together, and they are already two of the biggest names in the women’s game.
In short, while perhaps not quite at that stage yet, the world No 1 will no doubt view Andreeva as a future threat to her enduring hold on the rankings crown.
impressive andreeva sets the pace against swiatek
Andreeva broke in the third game of the opening set, settling remarkably well in what was a seismic encounter for the 17-year-old – meeting the tour’s finest for the very first time.
She was able to soak up her opponent’s devilish topspin surprisingly well, counter-punching at every opportunity as Swiatek failed to reach full flight during that first set.
Particularly impressive was the manner in which the Russian fended off two break points in the sixth game, seemingly unintimidated by the calibre of opponent on the other side of the net. Her use of forehand slice to reset rallies in which Swiatek was well on top enabled Andreeva to clinch points many other players would have lost against the Pole.
With no further breaks in the first set, the opening stanza concluded with a lengthy tenth game as Andreeva served at 5-4 up.
Swiatek was able to push her young opponent enough to create two break points. But Andreena was serving excellently. A timely ace, followed by a wonderful show of defence in an extended rally saved both for the Russian, who proceeded to serve out for a one-set lead on her second of two set points.
The world No 1 finally made her breakthrough at the start of the middle stanza, however, earning that elusive break at the seventh time of asking en route to a 3-0 lead.
As she has done countless times before, Swiatek was able to reset mentally and physically in such an impressive fashion. Her serve in particular was vastly improved, with Andreeva failing to carve out a single break point opportunity as the rest of the second set went on serve with the Pole taking it 6-3.
The decider was as tight as the match, with the tension of the approaching finish line leading to an abundance of caution from both players.
There were no break points for either until the eleventh and penultimate game, when Swiatek finally made the decisive breakthrough, taking her second break point to earn the chance to serve out the contest at 6-5.
It wasn’t an entirely straightforward exit from the match, with the Pole needing to fend off a final break point – Andreeva’s first since her break in the third game – before sealing a mightily tricky win.
andreeva re-establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with
Swiatek will go on to play the winner of the match between reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and tenth-seeded Liudmila Samsonova in the last four, as she returns to the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open for a second straight year.
While the relief of getting through today’s match will currently be the overriding feeling for Swiatek, she will be well aware that the level Andreeva has reached at such a young age means this is a player to be reckoned with.
“She’s playing and behaving like she’s older,” Swiatek said in her in-court interview.
“I felt like we were playing at a similar level. It was really tight. Every point mattered at the end. It wasn’t easy.”
Hopefully, the two will have many more encounters on the biggest stages well into the future.
If they are anything like today’s, then the WTA has an absolute diamond of a rivalry in store.
