Vera Zvonareva's impressive run at the W100 (ITF) Dubai continues after the former world No. 2 edged out 455th-ranked Sofya Lansere7-5 2-6 6-3 in two hours and 45 minutes of action.
Zvonareva, who is 41 years old, played her last tournament of the 2024 season in May and the belief was that she had silently retired from pro tennis. But then, the two-time Grand Slam finalist took a wildcard into this week's ITF tournament in Dubai.
After beating Tara Wurth and Tereza Martincova in her opening two matches, Zvonareva - who currently doesn't have a ranking - also survived a tough battle against Lansere to progress into her first semifinal of any kind since 2021.
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Zvonareva recovered from two breaks down in the first set against Lansere, but dropped the second set after losing her serve three times. In the third set, the Russian struggled on her serve once - she was broken three times - but still won the match after claiming four breaks in the decider.
Zverev set to meet a 16-year-old rival for the Dubai final
In the Dubai singles semifinal, Zvonareva will take on a 25 years younger rival, Mika Stojsavljevic. It will be the first meeting between the former world No. 2 and 16-year-old Stojsavljevic.
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And that's not all when it comes to Zvonareva as she has also been through to the tournament's doubles semifinal with Rada Zolotareva. Their next opponents will be Raina Ankita and Bhamidipaty Shrivalli Rashmikaa.
