Andreeva rips through Cirstea for return to Roland Garros semifinals
PARIS: Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva returned to the French Open semifinals with a 6-0 6-3 win over Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea on a rainy Tuesday to continue her run in a Roland Garros draw stripped of many big names. Now among the leading contenders for a maiden Grand Slam title with defending champion Coco Gauff and four-times winner Iga Swiatek out, the Russian next faces the winner of the all-Ukrainian clash between Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk. The 19-year-old wasted little time asserting herself with ultra aggressive tennis in front of a sparse crowd beneath the Court Philippe Chatrier roof, racing through the first set in only 24 minutes. “I’m super happy I was able to play aggressive,” said Andreeva, who became the teenager with the most Paris main draw victories this century with her 16th win. “The last time I played her, it was a very tough battle. Every practice with her is very tough.