Alexandra Shubladze’s mother and coach, Oksana, was overcome with emotion courtside after her daughter beat Sorana Cirstea into retirement on Friday to reach the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open semi-finals.

Competing in a main WTA 250 draw for the first time, Shubladze, whose progress was stalled by a torn anterior cruciate ligament two years ago, blew away Cirstea, the shell-shocked No 1 seed, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes.

Now, having achieved one “childhood dream” in Hong Kong when she visited Disneyland to “go on the roller coasters and watch some shows”, Shubladze is two wins away from the greatest achievement of her embryonic career.

She will play Claire Liu in the last four on Saturday, after the impressive American outplayed Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez to win their quarter-final 6-1, 6-4.

“It’s hard to believe that me, just a girl from a small town in Russia [Rostov-on-Don], can win this match [against Cirstea],” Shubladze told the South China Morning Post.

“All my victories come because my parents really believe in me, so I really appreciate them.

“They help with everything. I try not to think about rankings, sponsors and tournaments. I’m just trying to enjoy my life and stay positive, no matter what.”

Late on Friday night, Cirstea told the SCMP that she planned to stand by her decision to call time on a high-achieving 20-year career.

Having said 2026 would be her last season, Cirstea acknowledged that after climbing to a career-high world No 15, and reaching the second week of the US Open in September, she “started to have doubts about the retirement”.

“But with the way the things finished here in Asia [where she also lost early in Wuhan, Ningbo and Tokyo] I think the decision is quite clear,” Cirstea said.

“I was out of batteries, I didn’t have anything anymore, and it’s been a long year. I need to take a break to process everything, then the final announcement will probably come in a couple of weeks.”

After winning six tournaments this year, including her first WTA 125 title in Jingshan two months ago, Shubladze’s world ranking has climbed from No 391 to No 136.

“I’ve worked so hard during the season, and I’m trying to enjoy being on the court,” she said. “I missed eight months [after the ACL tear], which was very tough because I’d never had an injury.

“I worked really hard on my mentality, and I wanted to come back stronger.”

Having never met a top-20 player before her encounter with Cirstea, Shubladze broke the Romanian’s serve on three occasions, the last of them to wrap-up victory on her second match point.

“I treated it as just another point, not match point, because you have to stay focused.” Shubladze said.

“My motivation is always just to keep improving my game, to be more confident and to try to be the best version of myself.”

Shubladze experienced a rare hiccup a fortnight ago when she was beaten by Polina Iatcenko in the first round of Guangzhou Open qualifying.

“These courts were too fast for me, but as soon as I came here I thought I’d be able to show my game,” said Shubladze, who navigated two qualifying rounds in Hong Kong, before recovering from behind to win three setters against Liudmila Samsonova and Elena Pridankina.

“It’s amazing being here around the top players, and feeling the atmosphere,” Shubladze said.

“It really helps me believe in myself, and everybody’s been so kind and friendly.

“I’m trying not to think about my semi-final, and to live in the present. It’ll be tough, but I’ll try to do my best.”

Cirstea, meanwhile, is close friends with Mirra Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion, who American world No 5 Jessica Pegula was caught on practice-court microphones in California calling a “diva” who “needs to be humbled”.

“I absolutely love Mirra, and I think she’s amazing for the sport,” Cirstea said. “She’s a great player, and she has a great personality. I get along so well with her and ... every time she plays I’m really, really cheering for her.”

Pegula, who is preparing to compete in the WTA Tour finals next week, was unaware her comments were being live streamed. Comments from Elena Rybakina, the world No 1, telling her coach, Stefano Vukov, “Stay here. I’m talking to you. Can you stand here?” on an Indian Wells practice court, were also inadvertently broadcast by the WTA.

The issue of players’ privacy is pertinent after two-time grand slam champion Coco Gauff aired her frustrations over television cameras capturing her smashing a racquet in what she believed was a safe space following her Australian Open exit this year.

“I understand that people want to have access, but I think we need to be informed if there are microphones and cameras,” Cirstea said. “And I think microphones and cameras should not be in our private spaces, so I’m a little bit against all these things.”

Back in Hong Kong, Maria Sakkari, the No 4 seed, claimed the day’s third straight sets victory, comfortably seeing off qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-3.

Alexandra Eala, the fan-favourite Filipina, was leading Antonia Ruzic by a set and a break when play was suspended because of rain shortly before 11pm.