Tennis

17-year-old Mirra Andreeva has achieved a remarkable milestone in her young career by defeating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the French Open. The victory marks the biggest win of Andreeva's career and sends her into her first Grand Slam semifinal.Andreeva's triumph was not without its challenges. Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, had won 23 consecutive sets at Grand Slams and was looking to extend her streak. However, Andreeva remained composed and focused, breaking Sabalenka's serve twice in the first set and ultimately winning 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.The match was a tale of two halves. Sabalenka dominated the first set, winning the tiebreaker 7-5. However, Andreeva fought back in the second set, breaking Sabalenka's serve twice and winning 6-4. The third set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve until Andreeva broke Sabalenka in the final game to seal the victory.Andreeva's victory is a testament to her talent and determination. She has been one of the most exciting young players on the WTA Tour in recent months, reaching the second week of three of her last four major appearances. Her win over Sabalenka is a sign that she is ready to compete with the best in the world.In the semifinals, Andreeva will face fellow debutante and No. 12 seed Jasmine Paolini. Paolini stunned No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina earlier in the day.

Mirra Andreeva, a rising star in the tennis world, has defied expectations and advanced to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros. Her remarkable victory over Varvara Gracheva, a close friend and frequent practice partner, showcased her exceptional mental fortitude and ability to thrive under pressure.Andreeva's triumph was particularly impressive given the partisan crowd at Court Suzanne Lenglen, which overwhelmingly supported Gracheva, a Frenchwoman representing France. However, instead of being intimidated, Andreeva used the crowd's energy to her advantage."I knew it would be hard, but I know how to use the support against myself for myself," Andreeva explained. "When people cheer super hard against me, I use it to cheer myself up. It really helps me."Andreeva's ability to channel the crowd's support into motivation is reminiscent of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who famously "transmuted" the crowd's support for Roger Federer during the 2019 Wimbledon final."When the crowd is chanting 'Roger,' I hear 'Novak,'" Djokovic said after his victory. "It sounds silly, but it is like that. I try to convince myself that it's like that."Andreeva's victory over Gracheva was not only a testament to her mental strength but also her exceptional talent. The 17-year-old Russian has a powerful serve and a versatile ground game that allows her to adapt to different opponents and court conditions.In her next match, Andreeva will face world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, a formidable opponent who has defeated her twice before. However, Andreeva is confident in her abilities and believes she can continue her impressive run at Roland Garros."I'm just going to go out there and play my game," Andreeva said. "I know it's going to be tough, but I'm ready for the challenge."

Paris, the City of Lights, has witnessed the fulfillment of a young tennis star's dream. Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old WTA sensation, has finally captured a moment with her idol, Andy Murray, the former world No. 1.On the eve of Roland Garros, Andreeva's courage surged as she approached Murray, requesting a photograph. The resulting image, shared on her Instagram story, has ignited joy among tennis enthusiasts on social media."Finally," exclaimed one user, while another declared it "Cuteness overload." A third user humorously referenced Andreeva's previous promise to frame a complimentary tweet from Murray, writing, "She going to frame this too, isn't she?"Andreeva's admiration for Murray has been a defining aspect of her remarkable professional debut in 2023. She has openly expressed her idolization of the Scot, famously describing him as "so beautiful" upon their first encounter at the Mutua Madrid Open.Murray's playful response on X, formerly Twitter, read, "Imagine how good she’s going to be when she gets her eyes fixed."Later that year, at Wimbledon, Andreeva finally met Murray but admitted to being "too shy" to initiate a conversation. "When I see him, I try to leave the facility super quick, just to not have to talk to him!" she confessed.However, a year has brought a significant transformation. Andreeva's confidence has grown, and she has seized the opportunity to capture a cherished moment with her idol.In the caption accompanying the photo, Andreeva expressed her delight at returning to Paris, stating, "so far, so good." Her performance in last year's Roland Garros, where she reached the third round, serves as a testament to her potential.Andreeva's unwavering admiration for Murray has become an endearing aspect of her journey as a professional tennis player. Her courage in approaching her idol and the resulting photograph have brought joy to fans worldwide.

Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old Russian sensation, is set to make her debut at the prestigious Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. The rising star, who celebrated her birthday during the Mutua Madrid Open, expressed her excitement at facing Paula Badosa, a former world No. 2.Andreeva has already proven her mettle against top-ranked opponents, boasting an impressive 8-7 record against Top 20 players. In Madrid, she defeated reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova en route to the quarterfinals."I feel like when you face a good player, you become better and you're always challenging yourself until the last moment," Andreeva said. "It challenges me to be a better person and I feel even better and happier after winning these matches."Badosa, despite her recent struggles, remains a formidable opponent. She reached the quarterfinals in Rome last year and has won several titles on the WTA circuit. However, Andreeva is unfazed by the challenge."I'll be excited for tomorrow because it'll help me improve my game and myself," she said.Andreeva's journey has been guided by her new coach, Conchita Martinez, a four-time winner of the Rome tournament. While Andreeva has yet to watch footage of Martinez's matches, she has learned about the venue's history from her mentor."She has a special thing here in Rome," Andreeva said.Andreeva's love for tennis began with the 2017 Australian Open final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Her passion for the sport is evident in her unwavering determination and her infectious enthusiasm."If ever I see gelato, I always take stracciatell. It's my No. 1," she said, revealing her favorite post-match treat.Andreeva's debut in Rome is a testament to her rapid rise in the tennis world. With her talent, determination, and unwavering spirit, she is poised to make a lasting impact on the sport.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, defeating rising star Mirra Andreeva in a rematch of their 2023 fourth-round clash.Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, overcame a spirited challenge from the 17-year-old Andreeva, winning 6-1, 6-4 in an hour and 19 minutes. The victory marks Sabalenka's third consecutive win in Madrid, where she is seeking her second title.The first set was a dominant display from Sabalenka, who showcased her power and precision. She hit 17 winners to Andreeva's five, breaking the teenager's serve twice to take the set with ease.The second set was more competitive, with Andreeva fighting back from a break down to level at 4-4. However, Sabalenka's experience and resilience proved too much for the young Russian. She broke Andreeva's serve again in the ninth game and served out the match to secure her place in the semifinals.Sabalenka's victory was built on her aggressive play and consistent serving. She struck 35 winners to just 13 unforced errors and did not face a single break point throughout the match.In the semifinals, Sabalenka will face No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina, who saved two match points to defeat Yulia Putintseva earlier on Wednesday. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the most in-form players on the WTA Tour.

Mirra Andreeva, the rising Russian star, celebrated her 17th birthday in style by securing a spot in the last 16 of the Mutua Madrid Open. Her impressive 7-5, 6-1 victory over reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, the No. 7 seed, marked her second consecutive year reaching the fourth round in the Spanish capital.Andreeva's breakthrough came last year at the age of 15, when she stunned the tennis world with a run to the fourth round as a wild card. She defeated two Top 20 players before falling to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. This year, she has continued her ascent, earning her second career Top 10 victory over Vondrousova.Against Vondrousova, Andreeva displayed her maturity and resilience. She raced out to early leads in both sets but faced a setback in the first set, losing four straight games to trail 5-4. However, she regained her composure and won nine of the last 10 games, showcasing her impressive serving performance in the second set.Andreeva's growth has been evident both on and off the court. She has been working with former Grand Slam champion Conchita Martinez as a coach on a trial basis, and the partnership has yielded positive results. Andreeva credits Martinez with helping her develop a more mature mindset."I feel more like a grown-up," Andreeva said. "I know that I will not be able to win a match without doing something myself."Andreeva's next challenge will be the winner of the match between No. 11 seed Caroline Garcia and No. 21 seed Jasmine Paolini. The Russian teenager is confident in her abilities and eager to continue her impressive run in Madrid.

Mirra Andreeva, the 16-year-old tennis prodigy, has returned to the Mutua Madrid Open, the site of her breakthrough performance last year. In an interview with Prakash Amritraj at the Tennis Channel Desk, Andreeva revealed that she has framed a comment from her childhood idol, Andy Murray, praising her mental strength.Andreeva's journey in Madrid last year was remarkable. As a wildcard ranked just inside the Top 200, she reached the fourth round, defeating Leylah Fernandez, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Magda Linette without losing a set. Her performance earned her the WTA's most impressive newcomer award in 2023.This year, Andreeva has continued to impress, overcoming similar challenges to those she faced last year. In her second-round match against Linda Noskova, she lost the first set but rallied to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. She also came from behind to defeat American Taylor Townsend in her opening match.Andreeva attributes her success to her mental strength and her ability to think through difficult moments. "I'm trying to play using my brain," she said. "I'm not trying to hit every ball as hard as I can. Maybe that helps me sometimes to think through hard moments."Andreeva's maturity on the court is evident in her approach to the game. "I feel more mature even though there's not much of a difference in my age," she said. "Last year, I was hoping for some kind of miracle when I was playing against everybody, that on these pressure points they would give me something with their mistakes or something will happen for me to just win the match. Now I know and I'm sure that I will not be able to win a match without doing something myself."As Andreeva prepares to turn 17, she is excited about the future. "I'm just trying to always think in a positive way and that's it," she said. "I'm really looking forward to the next few years and seeing how far I can go."

Mirra Andreeva, the 16-year-old tennis prodigy, made a triumphant return to the WTA tour on Monday, showcasing her exceptional talent and resilience. After a five-week hiatus due to injury, Andreeva cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over former Roland Garros semifinalist Nadia Podoroska in the first round of the WTA 250 indoor clay-court event in Rouen, France.Andreeva's dominant performance marked her first win since the third round of the Australian Open and her first match since an arm tendonitis forced her to withdraw from the Miami Open. The 2023 WTA Newcomer of the Year displayed no signs of rust or physical limitations, winning 18 of the first 21 points against Podoroska.Despite being limited in the number of WTA-level tournaments she can play due to age-eligibility rules, Andreeva has already made a significant impact on the tour. Her breakthrough came on the red dirt in 2023, where she reached the fourth round in Madrid and the third round in Paris, where she pushed Coco Gauff to three sets.Andreeva's victory in Rouen is a testament to her determination and the high expectations surrounding her young career. With top seeds Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Caroline Garcia also competing in the tournament, Andreeva will face stiff competition in her quest for a deep run. However, her impressive performance against Podoroska suggests that she is ready to make a statement on the clay-court season.

Mirra Andreeva, the rising star of tennis, recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. The 16-year-old Russian shared her awe-inspiring experience on social media, posting a video and photos that captured her every moment at the iconic campus.Andreeva's visit included a tour of the sprawling complex, where she marveled at the buildings named after legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, and Serena Williams. She also got a glimpse of historic sports memorabilia, including kits and trophies that showcased the rich legacy of the brand.Despite her recent withdrawal from the Miami Open due to arm tendonitis, Andreeva's enthusiasm for the sport was evident throughout her visit. She tried on her upcoming apparel, shot hoops, and hit forehands for the cameras, demonstrating her passion and dedication to tennis.Andreeva's trip to Nike came after a challenging start to her sophomore season. After reaching the quarterfinals in Brisbane and the fourth round of the Australian Open, she suffered back-to-back first-round exits in Dubai and Indian Wells. However, her visit to the Nike headquarters provided a much-needed boost of inspiration and motivation.As she gears up for the clay season, where she made her breakthrough run to the Madrid Open fourth round last year, Andreeva is determined to return to form. Her visit to Nike has undoubtedly fueled her desire to succeed and reach even greater heights in the sport.