Mirra Andreeva surprises Aryna Sabalenka and becomes youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since 1997

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva became the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since 1997 with a shock victory over second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who was battling an apparent illness, at the French Open on Wednesday. The 17-year-old recovered from a setback against her struggling opponent to win 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4 after two hours and 29 minutes and set up a semi-final meeting with Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Andreeva, aged 17 and 29 days, is the youngest woman to reach the semi-finals at a major event since Martina Hingis at the US Open 27 years ago, and also the youngest at Roland Garros since Hingis in 1997.

“Honestly, I was very nervous before the match, I knew she would have an advantage,” said Andreeva, who had lost both previous meetings with Sabalenka in straight sets.

“I watch the game, I play when I want, I don’t really have a plan. When I see an open space on the court I try to play, I try to play behind her or something.

“Me and my coach had a plan for today, but again I didn’t remember anything. I just try to play how I feel.”

She will fancy her chances of reaching the final when she faces Paolini – who had never made it past the second round of a Grand Slam before this year – on Thursday.

Sabalenka took several medical breaks as she complained of not feeling well and Andreeva, playing her debut Slam quarter-final, eventually took advantage with a composed display.

Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka came through the first four rounds well but was clearly struggling, breathing heavily between points.

Andreeva, currently ranked 38th, had already secured a place in the world’s top 30 by reaching the round of 16, but is now ready to climb even higher.

Tournament favorite Iga Swiatek faces US Open champion Coco Gauff in the other semi-final.

Sabalenka was targeting a seventh consecutive Slam semi-final and had won 11 consecutive matches at the majors following her second title in Melbourne earlier this year.

– Sabalenka works –

It was immediately clear that Sabalenka was not at her best, as she committed four double faults in her first two service games.

But Andreeva became nervous at key moments, failing to serve out the first set when she was leading 5-4, before Sabalenka recovered for the tie-break.

It looked like Sabalenka would run away from her young rival – the youngest woman to reach the quarter-finals since 2005 – when she broke in the first game of the second set.

But Andreeva fought back, with Sabalenka continuing to shake her head and crouch between the stitches, apparently in pain.

The pair exchanged pauses once more before Sabalenka called the coach again, saying she needed “something to make me feel better”.

Andreeva was beginning to come on top and leveled the match on her second set point when Sabalenka sent a tired backhand into the back of the net.

Sabalenka was still grimacing and complaining about her zone at the start of the third set, but suddenly found her rhythm to break love and take a 3-2 lead.

She was unable to hold on as Andreeva quickly equalized and went ahead 5-4.

Sabalenka was unable to extend the contest behind her own serve as Andreeva sealed a famous victory in style with a magnificent lob from just behind the baseline.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)