Brisbane, Jan 3 (NationPress) Mirra Andreeva has successfully advanced to the semifinals of the Brisbane International following her victory over her idol Ons Jabeur from Tunisia, with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6 on Friday. The 17-year-old Russian player has now defeated the former World No.2 Jabeur twice.

After enduring a challenging season marked by form and injury issues, the 30-year-old Jabeur showcased her skills by winning three consecutive matches for the first time since Roland Garros of last year, before Andreeva managed to outplay her for the second time in their encounters on Australian soil.

Previously, Andreeva eliminated the then-No. 6 Tunisian in the second round of the Australian Open last year. She now awaits either World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka or Czech player Marie Bouzkova for a chance to compete in Sunday’s final.

Andreeva has displayed remarkable performance during her initial three matches in Brisbane, entering the quarterfinals after achieving straight-set victories over Anna Blinkova and Linda Noskova. Her dominant win of 6-3, 6-0 against Noskova was especially significant, as it avenged a tough defeat she suffered a year ago, where Noskova claimed victory with a score of 7-5, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

In a separate match, local wildcard Kimberly Birrell saw her impressive run conclude in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought 6-4, 1-6, 5-7 loss to Anhelina Kalinina, who aims for her third WTA final.

Birrell, competing at her home venue, had only defeated two top-50 players from 2021 to 2024 but managed to secure two wins against such competitors this week - World No.8 Emma Navarro and World No.35 Anastasia Potapova.

For a duration of two hours and 40 minutes, she exhibited determination and bravery before narrowly missing out against the resilient Ukrainian, who was ranked in the top 25 just 18 months prior.

With a lack of wins in Australia the previous season, the 27-year-old Kalinina was one point away from defeat at 4-5 in the decisive set but rallied to win the final three games, securing her sixth WTA semifinal and her second on hard courts.

Birrell reached a career-high rank of World No.99 in the live standings, while Kalinina progressed to a semifinal clash with 21-year-old qualifier Polina Kudermetova, who triumphed over American Ashlyn Krueger with a score of 7-6(5) 6-3.