Sydney, Jan. 9 -- Marta Kostyuk beat world number nine Mirra Andreeva on Friday night to advance to the semifinals at the Brisbane International where she will face Jessica Pegula on Saturday.
Kostyuk, the 26th-ranked player in the world, defeated Andreeva 7-6, 6-3 in one hour and 47 minutes for her second win against a top-10 opponent in 24 hours after beating world numberthree Amanda Anisimova in straight sets in a late-night match on Thursday.
Leading 4-3 on serve in the opening set, Kostyuk hit a crosscourt forehand winner to break Andreeva's serve for the first time, but could not capitalize on the opportunity to win the seton her own serve as Andreeva immediately broke back and went on to force a tiebreak.
Kostyuk's powerful hittin...