Mirra Andreeva is in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time in her career, and she'll take on Jasmine Paolini, who is also in her maiden major semi-final.
When the sun rose in Paris on Wednesday, June 5th, everybody assumed that by sunset time, a semi-final would be set up in which Elena Rybakina would take on Aryna Sabalenka.
However, the semi-final will be completely different, as Andreeva will take on Paolini because the Russian bested Sabalenka, who dealt with some physical issues, and also because the Italian outplayed a very erratic Rybakina.
Andreeva and Paolini have played against each other in a WTA Tour-level match once before, and it's not that long ago that it happened. They faced each other in Madrid recently, with Andreeva winning that match 7-6(2), 6-4.
It was a close match, but the teenager demonstrated all of her talent by beating her opponent at an event where she generally plays amazing tennis. The courts in Paris play a bit differently, which technically should suit Paolini more, but the 17-year-old player has been demonstrating a lot of maturity this week, so it could go either way.
Both are deservedly in the last four, but Andreeva likely impressed more by surviving a match with Sabalenka.
| Mirra Andreeva | Jasmine Paolini | |
| 1 | H2H | 0 |
| 38 | Rank | 15 |
| 17 | Age | 28 |
| 17-7 | 2024 W/L | 21-10 |
| 92-25 | Career W/L | 366-260 |
Andreeva is a player who will likely win multiple Grand Slams in the future. Paolini might not have that potential, but she's a fighter who never gives up and can just grind out points.
It will be interesting to see who keeps their cool in this spot, and both may be able to do it in this match. Still, I'll back the Russian because she's special.
Prediction: Mirra Andreeva to win in three sets.