Amanda Anisimova Wins a Thrilling Match Against Mirra Andreeva At Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 

Sometimes a tennis match is more than just points and games—it’s a test of will, grit, and who wants it more when the pressure is cranked up to eleven. That’s exactly what we got Wednesday night in Dubai, where Amanda Anisimova outlasted defending champion Mirra Andreeva in a quarterfinal that had more twists than a pretzel factory.

Anisimova Battles Through the Pressure Cooker

Anisimova didn’t make this easy on herself. After dropping the first set in convincing fashion, the American second seed looked like she might be headed for an early exit. Andreeva, all of 18 years old and playing with the confidence of someone who’d already conquered this tournament last year, was rolling.

But here’s the thing about Anisimova—she’s got that fighter’s mentality. She clawed her way back into the match, taking the second set 7-5 and forcing a decider that would test every ounce of mental fortitude both players had left in the tank.

The third set was pure theater. Anisimova surged ahead 5-3, serving for the match. Victory was right there, just two games away. But Andreeva, showing why she’s one of the brightest young stars on tour, refused to go quietly. She broke back, and suddenly we were headed to a tiebreak after two hours and 38 minutes of grueling, edge-of-your-seat tennis.

In the breaker, Anisimova finally found her moment. She converted her fourth match point to seal the deal and dramatically end Andreeva’s title defense. You could see the relief wash over her face—this wasn’t just any win. This was a statement.

Second Time’s the Charm Against Andreeva

Here’s a fun bit of history: this was the second time Anisimova has taken down Andreeva in a nail-biter. Last year in Miami, she ended the Russian teenager’s ridiculous 13-match winning streak with a 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 victory. Clearly, there’s something about facing Andreeva that brings out the best in Anisimova when the chips are down.

This victory also marks Anisimova’s first Top 10 win of 2026 and her first semifinal appearance of the year. Not a bad way to announce you’re back in business.

Up Next: A Familiar Foe

Waiting for Anisimova in the semifinals? None other than Jessica Pegula, who took care of last year’s runner-up Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in the other quarterfinal. That sets up an all-American showdown that tennis fans have seen before.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth for Anisimova: Pegula owns her. The fourth seed has never lost to Anisimova in four career meetings, including that straight-sets victory in Melbourne just weeks ago. Pegula’s been on an absolute tear lately, reaching her seventh consecutive semifinal dating back to last year’s US Open. That’s the kind of consistency that wins tournaments and climbs rankings.

But you know what? Records are made to be broken. And after the kind of gutsy performance Anisimova just delivered against Andreeva, you’d be foolish to count her out. There’s momentum, there’s confidence, and there’s the simple fact that she’s playing some of her best tennis when it matters most.

What This Means For Both Players

For Anisimova, this is validation. After struggling to find her footing early in 2026, she’s now one win away from her first Dubai final. The way she battled back from a set down and then held her nerve in that third-set tiebreak shows she’s ready to compete with the best.

For Andreeva, it stings. Defending a title is never easy, and falling just short in a third-set breaker after mounting that late comeback will keep her up at night for a while. But she’s 18. She’s got all the time in the world to bounce back, and if this match proved anything, it’s that she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

The semifinal between Anisimova and Pegula promises to be must-watch tennis. Both are playing for their first Dubai final. Both have something to prove. And after watching what Anisimova just pulled off against Andreeva, anything feels possible.