Marta Kostyuk scored her second straight win over a top-10 player in as many days on Friday, Jan. 9, defeating world number nine Mirra Andreeva 7-6, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the Brisbane International. She will face world number six Jessica Pegula on Saturday.

Kostyuk, ranked 26th in the world, hit 37 winners in a match lasting one hour and 47 minutes. Her crosscourt forehand and backhand consistency were crucial in breaking Andreeva’s serve and converting key set points in the opening set tiebreak.

Kostyuk’s aggressive approach earns back-to-back top-10 wins

Leading 4-3 in the first set, Kostyuk hit a forehand winner to break Andreeva’s serve for the first time. Andreeva immediately broke back, forcing a tiebreak. Kostyuk’s powerful hitting and consecutive backhand winners allowed her to convert her third set point to take the opening set.

In the second set, Kostyuk closed the match with a forehand volley winner on her 37th shot of the night, capitalizing on Andreeva’s backhand hitting the net. “I felt like I had to start really aggressive, really energetic and find a way,” Kostyuk said.

Pegula overcomes Samsonova as Sabalenka prepares for Muchova

Earlier in the evening, world number six Jessica Pegula defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 7-6 in one hour and 51 minutes. Pegula started slowly, dropping the first three games, before winning six consecutive games to claim the first set. She maintained control and converted crucial opportunities in the tiebreak.

“I feel like I’m a really good returner so I can always give myself chances to break back and that’s what I did,” Pegula said.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka will meet 20th-ranked Karolina Muchova in the other semifinal, completing a competitive field at the Brisbane International.