amanda anisimova Dethrones Defending Champion Mirra Andreeva, Will Face Pegula in Dubai Semifinal
Amanda Anisimova survived a dramatic quarterfinal at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, dispatching defending champion Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 in a match that stretched to 2 hours and 38 minutes. The No. 2 seed converted her fourth match point in a tense third-set tiebreak and will face Jessica Pegula in an all-American semifinal rematch.
Thrilling comeback and key moments
The match swung wildly. Andreeva, 18, controlled the opening set with aggressive serving and patient baseline play, firing four aces in a 6-2 opener and building a 2-0 lead in the second. Anisimova, who committed 20 unforced errors early, dug deep to erase the deficit and mount a comeback that included a five-game stretch to move from 0-2 down to 5-2.
Andreeva rallied to force the decider, and the final set produced some of the highest-quality tennis of the afternoon. Both players elevated their games—long rallies, deft touch, and bold shotmaking—before the match reached a deciding tiebreak. Anisimova held firm under pressure and closed it out on her fourth match point after the teenager's last backhand sailed long. The contest was notable for momentum swings and a display of nerves from two of the tour's most compelling young performers.
“I was almost in tears there at the end, ” Anisimova said in her on-court interview. She described being moved by Andreeva’s reaction at the final point and praised the teenager’s level. “It was such a tough battle, and I thought we played incredible tennis. Seeing Mirra down like that, it's understandable. We both fought so hard today, and it made me emotional seeing her like that. … In my mind, I was just thinking if she keeps playing like this, there's a title around the corner for her. ”
Semifinal setup: Pegula awaits and the American storyline
Jessica Pegula reached the last four with a three-set victory over last year's finalist, setting up an all-American semifinal that renews a rivalry first intensified at the Australian Open. Pegula leads the head-to-head 4-0, including a straight-sets win in Melbourne last month, and both players will be chasing their first trip to the Dubai final.
Anisimova’s win marks several milestones: it’s her first Top 10 victory of the 2026 season and her first semifinal since the 2025 year-ending championships in Riyadh. The result also extends her record against the young Russian, handing Andreeva a second narrow defeat after a similar three-setter last year. With confidence boosted and another meaningful win over top opposition, Anisimova will take momentum into the semifinal clash.
Outlook and implications
For Anisimova, this run provides a timely reminder of her capacity to battle through adversity. She overcame a set and early deficit, tightened her error count at critical moments, and displayed improved shot selection when it mattered most. Those adjustments will be vital against Pegula, a player known for depth, consistency and tactical awareness.
Andreeva leaves Dubai with little to be ashamed of. At 18, the defending champion showed flashes of composure and elite shotmaking that make her a clear contender moving forward. The emotional finish underlined the fine margins at this level: both competitors left the court having raised their respective stock.
The semifinal between Anisimova and Pegula promises another high-stakes encounter, pitting Anisimova’s aggressive comeback instincts against Pegula’s steady, methodical pressure. Fans can expect an intense tactical battle with a spot in the Dubai final on the line.
