Mirra Andreeva set to reach career-high third place in WTA rankings

Mirra Andreeva will rise to world No. 3 for the first time after reaching the China Open final in Beijing. WTA confirmed the ranking milestone following her October 10 semifinal win.

Andreeva beat the Czech player 6-2, 6-2 to reach the title match. Currently ranked fifth, she has moved ahead of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the live rankings. The change will take effect when the official rankings are published next week.

RBC reported that she will be the first Russian woman in the WTA top three since Maria Sharapova, who last occupied a place among the leading three in October 2015.

The 19-year-old has six WTA titles. Reaching the Beijing final guarantees a new career high regardless of the outcome of the championship match.

She will face China's Zheng Qinwen on October 11. Zheng defeated Belgium's Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2 in the other semifinal. The WTA 1000 event has a prize fund of $9.415 million.