Semifinal Saturday: Andreeva Leads Final Four of Youngsters and Veterans

Mirra Andreeva has no interest in reliving her last trip to China. This time, she’s giving herself plenty to remember.

A year ago, Andreeva’s bid to qualify for the WTA Finals unraveled during the China swing. She went into the final weeks of the season ahead of a chasing Elena Rybakina, with the final qualifying spot firmly in her hands. She didn't handle it well. Andreeva's best result came at the China Open in the Round of 16. She lost her opening matches in Wuhan and Ningbo. Her end-of-season sputter allowed Rybakina to pass her and qualify for and win the WTA Finals. 

“Let’s just not even go back there,” Andreeva joked of her 2025 swing through China. “That was something.”

Twelve months later, the 19-year-old has rewritten the script. After winning her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, Andreeva is in a more comfortable position to qualify for her first WTA Finals. But she's not resting on her laurels. The prodigious teen is keen to build confidence and momentum towards the season-ending championships.

Seeded No. 4, Andreeva is the highest remaining seed in the China Open's final four. She has cruised through the draw and will face 20-year-old Nikola Bartunkova in Saturday’s semifinal. It is Andreeva's first semifinal since her triumph in Paris.

Andreeva outlasted Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in a nearly two-hour quarterfinal Thursday to become the youngest China Open semifinalist since Agnes Szávay in 2007. She dropped just 15 games and one set in her first three matches in Beijing. 

“Very happy that this year is different, and I was able to turn things around,” Andreeva said.

Andreeva will face another young player making the most of her Beijing debut. The No. 26 seed Bartunkova has turned in a breakthrough tournament, beating No. 8 Karolina Muchova to reach her first career WTA 1000 semifinal.

"It's great that Mirra, she's already Grand Slam champion," Bartunkova said. "She's younger than me. But I also focus on myself. It's a bit different. I have a little bit different style to her.

"It sounds great that the young generation comes through. I'm just really happy that I am part of this generation."

Bartunkova has notched three Top 10 wins in her career and two of them have come over the past week. Along with Muchova, Bartunkova stunned No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.

Despite the magnitude of her run in Beijing, Bartunkova is trying to stay grounded and focused on the moment.

“For me, most important is improving my style, my game, just enjoying the tennis,” Bartunkova said.

Bartunkova and Andreeva met at the U.S. Open just last month, with Andreeva winning 6-2, 7-6 (5) in the Round of 32. 

“I lost unfortunately, but it was also a great match,” Bartunkova said. “Mirra played really well. Also, it was really close, especially in the second set.”

Andreeva is looking forward to the match-up of the under-20 standouts. 

“I think this match is going to be very entertaining for people to watch,” Andreeva said. “She’s an amazing player. I’m super excited to play her again.”

Meanwhile, Mertens will face a tall task on Saturday.

Not only will she be contesting the singles and doubles semifinals in back-to-back matches on Capital Group Diamond Court, she will face a decidedly pro-Zheng crowd in their matchup. Though, it is a role Mertens rather relishes.

“I do like it,” she said. “Like today, too, of course I know a lot of people are going to cheer for Iga. That’s normal — incredible player. I’m used to that (smiling). But no, for me, I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all. It’s nice for tennis, women’s tennis, that people come and watch us.”

Like on Friday, Mertens certainly will receive respect, even if the fans are pulling for Zheng.

“I love China. I love Beijing,” Mertens said. “That’s why I really want to stay a couple more days. They’re very respectful. Even though they cheered a bit more for Iga today, I still felt a lot of love from the crowd. I’m happy to be here.”

It will be the third WTA semifinal for the 13th-seeded Mertens, matching her best career run.

Zheng, the former No. 4 player in the world, will play in her first career WTA semifinal, including the 2024 China Open. She also will attempt to be the first Chinese player to reach the China Open final.

“She’s an incredible player,” Mertens said. “She’s been a top-10 player. Of course, unlucky with the injury. But her level is there. It’s going to be a great match. 

"Of course, she has a home advantage. But still I’m enjoying my time here in Beijing. I’m still in singles and doubles. Going to give my 100 percent again.”

Mertens, who has five grand slams and two WTA titles to her doubles resume, will play in back-to-back matches on Capital Group Diamond Court. She will play singles first, then doubles with partner Diana Shnaider against No. 2 seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani.

“Just take it hour per hour,” she said. “Let’s see how it goes in singles. Let’s see how much energy I still have for doubles. But singles has to be priority.”

The other doubles semifinal will see No. 1 seeds Katerina Sniakova and Zhang Shuai against Erin Routliffe and Aldila Sutjiadi.

By Isabel Kirkwood and Nick Mathews