Tennis-Andreeva bids for Paris glory after stellar begin to season

Might 21 – Mirra Andreeva will likely be seeking to construct on her glorious season when she arrives at Roland Garros and the Russian teenager has the psychological energy and angle wanted to upset the highest gamers once more at this 12 months’s French Open.

Final 12 months, Andreeva was the one unseeded participant to achieve the quarter-finals, however comes into this 12 months’s event ranked sixth on the earth as she seems to be to not less than match her 2024 semi-final look.

Andreeva, who turned 18 final month, grew to become the youngest participant to seize a WTA 1000 title along with her Dubai win in February, beating three Grand Slam champions Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina alongside the best way.

After successful her first, Andreeva gained back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns along with her Indian Wells triumph the next month, beating world primary Aryna Sabalenka within the ultimate having dispatched quantity two Swiatek within the semis.

Since partnering with coach Conchita Martinez a 12 months in the past, Andreeva’s profession has actually taken off, and even the Spanish former Wimbledon champion has been shocked by the Russian’s rise.

“Profitable Dubai and successful Indian Wells, that was a little bit bit… I do not know, I do not need to say she could not do it, nevertheless it was a progress and hastily it simply went like a sky rocket,” Martinez stated.

“She’s getting stronger and now I really feel like she in fact can compete with the large ladies. That is in all probability the progress that does shock me extra.”

Within the clay season, Andreeva has reached the quarter-finals of each the Madrid and Italian Open quarter-finals, shedding to Coco Gauff on every event, however that marks an enchancment on her French Open preparations 12 months in the past.

Andreeva went out within the opening spherical in Rome final 12 months, however adopted up along with her march to the semis in Paris, beating Sabalenka on the best way, and will likely be a participant most will need to keep away from within the draw.

Alongside along with her mobility and court docket consciousness, her psychological energy, self-discipline and fearlessness belie her age, and Andreeva has proven she has what it takes to go toe to toe with the most important names in tennis, and are available out on high.

She had misplaced to Sabalenka twice this 12 months earlier than their assembly within the Indian Wells decider and regardless of shedding the opening set, Andreeva battled again to down the world’s high participant.

“I want to thank myself for combating till the tip and for all the time believing in me and for by no means quitting,” Andreeva stated.

Andreeva goes into the French Open much more assured than final 12 months, and with three-times defending champion Iga Swiatek struggling for kind, the Russian’s first Grand Slam crown seems to be inside attain.

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