Mirra Andreeva has officially exited the Dubai Championships, as Amanda Anisimova defeated the 2025 title-winner 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) after 2 hours and 38 minutes of dramatic quarterfinal play.
Andreeva, the tournament's No. 5 seed, dominated the opening set 6-2, with the 18-year-old Russian appearing semifinal-bound after leading 5-3 in the third set. That's when second-seed Anisimova mounted a late charge and forced a tiebreak.
Anisimova later converted her fourth match point to seal the victory 7-4 in the breaker. Andreeva doubled over with emotion after her final backhand sailed long, struggling to hold back tears.
"I was almost in tears there at the end," Anisimova said postmatch. "Seeing Mirra down like that, it's understandable. We both fought so hard today, and it made me emotional seeing her like that."
Mirra Andreeva won the Dubai title last year, becoming one of the youngest champions in tournament history. Her defense showcased the same fighting spirit that defined her breakthrough 2025 season.
Thursday marked the second consecutive heated meeting between the players. Anisimova defeated Andreeva 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 in Miami last year, ending the teenager's 13-match winning streak.
The victory gave Anisimova her first Top 10 win of 2026. She now advances to face Jessica Pegula in an all-US semifinal. Pegula holds a 4-0 career record against Anisimova, including a recent Australian Open victory.
Despite the loss, Andreeva successfully reached her seventh consecutive semifinal — a streak that daties back to the 2025 US Open.
