Career week for Alexandrova in Miami

–

MIAMI, Fla. – Ekaterina Alexandrova had about half an hour to bask in and enjoy her impressive victory over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the round of 16 at the Miami Open.

Then, it was back to work as she did something arguably nearly as hard – backing up a career shining moment with another win, to stay alive in a tournament that is very much up for grabs.

She did that, overcoming some doubts and a rejuvenated Jessica Pegula to prevail 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to make the semifinals at this WTA 1000 tournament.

It is the biggest week of her career. And in Thursday’s semi, she’ll face an unseeded but daunting adversary in Danielle Collins.

Here’s how it looked against Pegula, with the American having her moments of angst but overall competing as well as she had all season.

For Alexandrova, for whom everything touched turned golden against a not-quite-up-to-par Swiatek in the previous round, it was a lot more of a grind.

After that win, Alexandrova came in and did press.

Here’s what she had to say.

And then, she went back out to fulfill her commitment to partner and countrywoman Irina Khromacheva in the doubles quarterfinal.

The two fell, 6-2, 6-2 to the Italian pairing of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani.

She will face Collins Friday night, a first meeting between the two.

Alexandrova came into the week at a career-high No. 16, a number that reflect that for every week where she seems nigh-on unbeatable, she has other weeks where her impatience results in inconsistency resulting in defeats.

She’s already at a new best of No. 13 with her run to the final.

If she can win the Miami Open, she’d be No. 11.