Mirra Andreeva defeated Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to move within one win of her first Grand Slam title.
The Russian was dominant in the first set, but faced more resistance from her Ukrainian opponent in the second.
Kostyuk broke back midway through the second set before Andreeva re-established her lead.
How do you feel about the roofs not being closed for strong wind? 😬
Serving out the match to win 6-1, 6-3, Andreeva made a key tactical change that deserves praise.
Mark Woodforde saw Mirra Andreeva slow down her serve in the final game to beat Marta Kostyuk
During BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the French Open, Grand Slam doubles legend Mark Woodforde shared his thoughts on the closing stages of Andreeva’s semi-final win.
“What a remarkable tournament for Kostyuk, but it just wasn’t the Marta Kostyuk we’ve seen on clay this year,” he said.
“But [Mirra] Andreeva, that was a tough last game!
“To see her slow her serve down, she made sure that she landed first serves in that last game, dealing with her own set of nerves.
“Able to survive and into her first Grand Slam final!”
Feeling the nerves, Andreeva decided to slow her serve down in the final game.
The tactical change paid off, as the 19-year-old made four of five first serves, comfortably winning the game and sealing her spot in the final.
Woodforde then looked ahead to the final, explaining why he believes Andreeva will have the edge over Maja Chwalinska or Diana Shnaider.
“In the final, it is unknown territory for her, and whoever it will be hasn’t reached that particular juncture at all either,” he said.
“I would expect that it’s going to be more difficult for whoever wins this second semi-final, because as Mirra just alluded to, she looked up at her coach during that interview and said, ‘We just keep everything going’, and I think that will be good enough.”
Andreeva’s coach, Conchita Martinez, is a three-time Grand Slam finalist, and Woodforde believes her experience will be a great help to the youngster.
Conchita Martinez’s Grand Slam finals
- 1994 Wimbledon [WIN] vs Martina Navratilova, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
- 1998 Australian Open [LOSS] vs Martina Hingis, 3-6, 3-6
- 2000 French Open [LOSS] vs Mary Pierce, 2-6, 5-7
“The savviness, being a great champion, I think that is what Andreeva is trying to take from someone like Conchita [Martinez],” he said.
“Her expectation ever since she transitioned from juniors into professional play, she felt like she could reach that level.
“Someone who had to work in a very difficult era, Conchita Martinez, as well, playing against a variety of different players.
“Has not really stepped out of the game, has been continuous in our sport as it’s evolved, so a wealth of experience.”
Martinez won Wimbledon, but never lifted the trophy in Paris.
The Spaniard lost one singles final and two doubles finals during her career.
She does, however, now have a chance to finally get her hands on the trophy as a coach.
Mirra Andreeva will become the best player of the season if she wins the French Open final
Andreeva currently sits third in the ‘Live WTA Race’, but would move to the top if she wins on Saturday.
That means she will have accumulated more points than anyone else this season.
Live WTA Race
| Rank | Name | Country | Points | Points with next win |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus | 4,510 | – |
| 2 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | 4,388 | – |
| 3 | Mirra Andreeva | Russia | 4,288 | 4,928 |
| 4 | Elina Svitolina | Ukraine | 3,890 | – |
| 5 | Jessica Pegula | USA | 3,195 | – |
| 6 | Coco Gauff | USA | 2,703 | – |
| 7 | Marta Kostyuk | Ukraine | 2,495 | – |
| 8 | Karolina Muchova | Czechia | 2,410 | – |
| 9 | Victoria Mboko | Canada | 2,392 | – |
| 10 | Sorana Cirstea | Romania | 1,855 | – |
For someone who missed out on the WTA Finals last year, that’s an impressive effort!
She won’t want to concern herself with rankings now, though, as she begins preparations for the biggest match of her career.
Andreeva will play Chwalinska or Shnaider in the French Open final on Saturday, June 6.
