mirra andreeva and Amanda Anisimova Set for Dubai Quarterfinals After Belated Starts
Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova will meet in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships quarterfinals on Thursday (ET) after each required a rusty third-round showing to get fully underway. Both players had not yet played this week before Wednesday's wins, with Anisimova dispatching a wild card opponent in straight sets and Andreeva surviving a nervy match marked by heavy momentum swings.
Shaky but effective: the third-round wins
Neither contender enjoyed a straightforward route into the week. Both received first-round byes and then benefitted from second-round walkovers when their scheduled opponents withdrew with injuries. Their first on-court matches of the week finally came on Wednesday (ET).
Seeded No. 2, Amanda Anisimova made quick work of wild card Janice Tjen, winning 6-1, 6-3. The scoreline underscored a tidy performance from Anisimova, who looked to have shaken off the disruption of the opening days and moved cleanly through rallies, converting chances on return and holding serve with relative ease.
Defending champion Mirra Andreeva produced a far more volatile display in her 7-5, 6-3 victory over Jaqueline Cristian. The match featured 13 breaks of serve and saw Andreeva commit 31 unforced errors, including seven double faults. She even failed to serve out the first set at 5-4 before finding a way to close it out.
Andreeva was candid about her level after the match, admitting she was tense and fighting the playing conditions. She leaned on a mental ritual that has become a talking point: her small notebook of reminders. When she faltered at key moments, Andreeva read through her notes between games and used them to refocus and grind out the final points of each set.
Quarterfinal storyline and what the meeting means
The pairing produces a compelling rematch. The two have met once before on tour, in Miami about 11 months ago, where Anisimova halted Andreeva's 13-match winning streak in a three-set win, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3. That prior encounter gives Anisimova a psychological edge, but Andreeva arrives here with the added pressure and confidence that comes from defending a title.
Both players also arrive in Dubai having endured early exits the previous week in Doha. Anisimova was forced to retire from her second-round match due to illness, while Andreeva suffered a narrow third-round defeat after squandering match points. Those recent stumbles help explain the rust visible on Wednesday, but they also mean both are battle-tested and motivated to build momentum in Dubai.
The matchup on Thursday (ET) shapes as a contrast in styles and temperament. Anisimova has showcased cleaner ball striking and steadier movement through her reprise, while Andreeva's week has been defined by flashes of high-quality aggression and periods of loose play. If Andreeva can limit double faults and cut down unforced errors, she has the variety and depth to pressure Anisimova. Conversely, Anisimova will look to exploit any short balls and force Andreeva into extended exchanges.
Expect a tactical battle that rewards whoever can control the rhythm early. With both players only truly hitting their stride after an irregular start to the tournament, the quarterfinal could hinge on composure as much as shotmaking. The winner moves into the semifinals as the Dubai draw tightens and the late-afternoon sun and swirling wind continue to play a role on the outdoor hard courts.
Play is scheduled for Thursday (ET), when the two will get a second opportunity to settle unfinished business from Miami and advance deeper into this WTA 1000 event.
