Just semi-teen! Andreeva stuns Paris

Russian 17-year-old ousts Sabalenka to set up an improbable final four clash with Italy's Paolini

PARIS — With the insouciance of a 17-year-old having the time of her life in Paris, Mirra Andreeva says that she and her coach work out a game plan before a tennis match — and then she forgets all about that, preferring to just wing it.

Well, it seems to be working out fine so far: The unseeded Russian is the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in more than a quarter of a century.

Playing in only her sixth major tournament, Andreeva got past an ill No 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 at the French Open on Wednesday. Next, on Thursday, Andreeva goes up against an equally surprising opponent: No 12 Jasmine Paolini, a 28-year-old Italian who reached her first major semifinal by defeating No 4 Elena Rybakina 6-2,4-6, 6-4.