A best-ever win for Anna Kalinskaya has come at the expense of world No.3 Coco Gauff.

The 25-year-old, ranked 40th in the world, had never beaten a Top 5 player, but moved to 3-0 on the season against the Top 10 with her 2-6 6-4 6-2 triumph over the reigning US Open tennis champion in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships on Thursday (22 February).

Kalinskaya’s reward is a meeting with world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the semis, with the Polish star taking out Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 earlier Thursday evening.

Last month, Kalinskaya made the quarter-finals at the AO, beating Sloane Stephens en route before falling to Zheng. She moved up 37 rankings spots to a career-high No.38 because of it.

Kalinskaya denied an 11th meeting between Swiatek and Gauff, the Pole leading that head-to-head 9-1.

“I’m super happy about my game here; she’s a great player, a great fighter,” Kalinskaya said on court after the upset. “I could feel the tension until the very last point, so I just tried to play my best and stay aggressive.

She added about the meeting with Swiatek: “I’m super excited for tomorrow. I’ve never played against her in singles. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Unseeded players Sorana Cirstea and Jasmine Paolini meet on the other half of the draw. Cirstea beat Wimbledon champion and Olympic silver medallist Marketa Vondrousova in three sets to make the final four, while Paolini received a walkover from No.4 Elena Rybakina, who cited a gastro illness in her withdrawal.

They’ll meet at 17:00 local time Friday (23 February), while Swiatek-Kalinskaya are due to play not before 19:00. (All times are Gulf Standard Time, GMT +4).