By Tony Fairbairn
- Elena Rybakina [6] v Mirra Andreeva [12]
- Karolina Muchova [14] v Clara Tauson
DUBAI, UAE – Elena Rybakina aims to continue her red-hot form when she takes on Mirra Andreeva on semi-finals day in Dubai.
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Elena Rybakina [6] v Mirra Andreeva [12] | H2H: Rybakina leads 1-0
After experiencing turbulent off-court events, Elena Rybakina has remained focused on-court and is now the only top ten player left in Dubai. The Kazakh will be hoping that she can continue her incredible form as she is now the favourite to go all the way and win the title in Dubai. Standing in Rybakina’s way is the talented Mirra Andreeva after the 17 year-old defeated Iga Swiatek to reach the final four and will now hope that she can add another big result to her collection.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Elena Rybakina [6] v Mirra Andreeva [12] | H2H: Rybakina leads 1-0 |
| WTA Dubai 2025 | Dubai, UAE |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $181,400 |
| Second on Center Court (Not before 13:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
It’s been an incredible week for Rybakina who saved six match points against Paula Badosa earlier in the week but now finds herself in the semi-finals.
The Kazakh is the only top ten player left in Dubai and will see this as a golden opportunity in order to win another big title and cement her place back in tennis’ elite.
Next for Rybakina is the talented Andreeva who secured another big victory by knocking out Swiatek in the quarter-finals.
The 12th seed is having a stunning season and will now aim to continue her fearless tennis as she targets a landmark milestone in her career this week.
After her win over Sofia Kenin, Rybakina explained how she overcame some obstacles in her game in order to progress into the last four.
“I started the match really well, but in the second, I lost a little bit of concentration,” Rybakina told the WTA website.
“My serve didn’t go [well], and Sofia, she’s a great player — it’s always difficult matches against her, but in the end, I found my game and I’m really happy that I managed to win in two sets.”
As for Andreeva, she spoke about her aggressive approach to defeating Swiatek and how she has been working with a sports psychologist.
“This time I just tried to tell myself to go for my shots, to be aggressive, to not hesitate. I think that helped me to win in a way,” Andreeva told the WTA website.
“I have some new tips. I have some new advices, in a way, how to work with my anger inside, what to do when I don’t feel great, how to maintain my level when I feel great, how to keep being me.
“For example when it was 1-1, I was serving. When she broke me, she did three return winners. There was not much I could do about it. I just had to accept it. Been also working on acceptance when something doesn’t go my way.
“I felt like it was out there on the court that I felt like still 1-3, but I feel strong. I feel like I’m still right there with her. Just thought that, OK, it’s going to take some time but I’m going to go back and I’m going to try to come back and win the second set.”
Rybakina will look to be aggressive on serve as she will use depth to force shorter balls from Andreeva.
Meanwhile Andreeva will use a mixture of variety and power to force Rybakina into some errors.
This will be a good contest with Andreeva set to be Rybakina’s biggest test of the week especially if she can take the ball early.
However, Rybakina’s form and confidence might be too strong in an entertaining contest.
Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.
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Karolina Muchova [14] v Clara Tauson | H2H: First Meeting
It’s been another impressive showing at a big tournament from Karolina Muchova as she is into the last four playing some flawless tennis. Now the Czech Republican will hope that she can reach another big final as her mix of power and variety continues to do damage. Standing in her way is the in-form Clara Tauson as the Dane backed up her win over Aryna Sabalenka by defeating Linda Noskova to reach the Dubai semi-finals.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Karolina Muchova [14] v Clara Tauson | H2H: First Meeting |
| WTA Dubai 2025 | Dubai, UAE |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $181,400 |
| Third on Center Court (Not before 15:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Another deep run from Muchova in a big tournament as she has found her game at the right time as she targets success at a WTA 1000 tournament.
In recent times Muchova has often fallen at the final hurdle but the 14th seed will be hoping things will be different in Dubai as she seeks another milestone in her career.
Standing in Muchova’s way is the in-form Tauson who continues to get better with every tournament and is showing no signs of slipping up.
The Dane has been the breakthrough player of 2025 and will now be hoping to reach a first WTA 1000 final of her career.
After of the semi-finals, Muchova previewed her contest against the red-hot Tauson.
“She’s smashing it, she’s playing really fast,” Muchova told the WTA website.
“It’s going to be a really tough match.”
Meanwhile Tauson reflected on her recent run of form and how she is feeling ahead of the semi-finals.
“If you win a lot of matches, you’re going to have confidence,” Tauson stated to the WTA website.
“You can see I hit some lines in the last game. If I was down on confidence, I’m sure I wouldn’t have hit those kind of shots serving for the match. But yeah, I feel great. I’m happy to play.
“I won a lot of good matches this year and played some good tournaments. I think the consistency has been very important for me. I don’t think I’ve ever put down these kind of results on this level. So it’s really nice for me that I can go out there and play freely.
“I mean, in most matches on this level I’m going to be the underdog. But hopefully soon I’ll have a better ranking so the pressure’s going to be on me.”
Muchova will use her slice to throw Tauson off her game as the 14th seed will aim to be as awkward as possible.
Meanwhile Tauson will continue to play on the front foot and force Muchova into some erratic shot-making.
This match will make for a good contrast of styles but Tauson’s confident year makes her slight favourite into this contest.
Prediction: Tauson in three sets.
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