Mirra Andreeva is into the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open, having come from a set down to beat Iga Swiatek last night.
It marked just the second time this teenage sensation has ever beaten the former world number one, and the first time she has tasted victory over her on clay.
Alas, such is the gruelling nature of this particular WTA 250 event, Mirra Andreeva has been rewarded for this victory with a match against Elena Rybakina.
If she is to win this title, she’s seemingly going to have to go through all of the world’s best.
Mirra Andreeva reacts after beating Iga Swiatek
Speaking on court immediately after last night’s win, Andreeva began by daring to dream about the prize on offer if she were to win this event.
Discussing the make and model of Porsche on offer, the 18-year-old swiftly turned her attention back to Iga Swiatek and what makes her such a force of nature on the WTA Tour.
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Asked why she is so tough to face, she admitted: “Of course, when you play someone that’s so experienced.. she’s won so many tournaments I can’t even count how many Slams she’s won, how many Masters she’s won.. she’s a past winner of this tournament as well.
“I was coming to this match knowing I’m somewhat confident in my game. I’ve won a couple matches in Linz. Also, I’ve been on a good run here as well. I was telling myself, ‘No matter what’s happening, I have to keep fighting and keep believing. I can win from any score.’
“That’s what I kept telling myself in the 2nd and the 3rd set.”
Given this is just the first tournament since Swiatek hired Francisco Roig as her new coach, it will likely be some time before we start to see any wholesale changes, and hopefully, the best of the former world number one once again.
Mirra Andreeva has something not even Aryna Sabalenka has over Iga Swiatek
With last night’s incredible win, on the clay no less, Andreeva now leads the head-to-head against Swiatek.
This is a feat that so many of the world’s very best players cannot claim to do, with Aryna Sabalenka currently behind, having won only five of their 13 meetings.
Does Iga Swiatek now win the French Open after changing coaches? 🤔
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To add further context, Elena Rybakina is currently tied on six wins apiece, whilst Coco Gauff is far behind the Polish superstar, as their head-to-head reads 11-5 in favour of the six-time major champion.
Andreeva is just 18 years old and already has the upper hand against one of the greatest players of their generation.
It is scary to think just how far she can go in the next few years if she maintains her current upward trajectory.
