Mirra Andreeva has reached the first Grand Slam final of her career after beating Marta Kostyuk.
Andreeva faced a tough test against Kostyuk, who was unbeaten on clay coming into the Roland Garros semi-final.
Kostyuk had also beaten Andreeva twice this year, including in the final of the Madrid Open last month.
However, Andreeva was able to get ‘revenge’ over Kostyuk at Roland Garros after beating her 6-1, 6-3 and she spoke about how it felt to be a Grand Slam finalist for the first time after the match.
Mirra Andreeva reacts after beating Marta Kostyuk to reach the Roland Garros final
Despite her dominant display in the Roland Garros semi-finals, Andreeva admitted she was nervous coming into the match, but spoke about how happy she was to get revenge from previous matches over Kostyuk.
“I am still very nervous. I was very nervous coming into this match,” Andreeva said at the start of her on-court interview.
“She has had an amazing season. Until this match she has not lost a match on clay. That puts a lot of pressure on. She is an amazing player. I am just super happy with the way I played today. Then I got my revenge for the Madrid final. Then I am in my first ever Grand Slam final.
“All of these feelings combined is amazing, I have never felt anything like this before and I am very excited for the last match here in Paris.”
Aryna Sabalenka struggled with the windy conditions in her shock quarter-final defeat at Roland Garros, and the weather was challenging once again for Andreeva and Kostyuk.
Andreeva admitted that she found it tricky to judge the wind, but was trying to accept the conditions for what they were.
“First of all the conditions were very tough today,” said Andreeva. “It was windy. I could not understand which way the wind was blowing. I am just happy I was able to stay focused and I told myself to accept everything that happens on the court.
“Today was one of those days where I felt everything could happen and it was a little bit unpredictable. I said whatever happens I am going to fight and if she ends up winning she is really going to have to work for it and fight. And with this kind of mindset I ended up winning the match and I am very happy about it.”
How do you feel about the roofs not being closed for strong wind? 😬
Andreeva is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, and in her post-match interview she was asked what advice she may seek from her mentor.
“I don’t think I am going to ask any questions!” responded Andreeva. “It was working pretty well what I did before and we agreed we have to keep it the same and not change anything.
“We are going to prepare our best for the final, depending on who I play. The final is going to be very interesting and tough. I am nervous but excited.”
Chris Evert claims Mirra Andreeva played the ‘perfect match’ against Marta Kostyuk
After watching Andreeva reach her first Grand Slam final, seven-time Roland Garros champion Chris Evert was full of praise for the Russian teenager’s performance.
Evert even went on to describe Andreeva’s performance against Kostyuk as the ‘perfect match’.
“She played a perfect match,” Evert said live on TNT Sports. “Everything in her game worked. Her groundstrokes, her volleys, her serve. Is this her time?
“Marta made a lot of errors, but it was Mirra that forced her into those errors. It was all Mirra Andreeva this match.”
Andreeva will now await her Roland Garros final opponent from either her doubles partner Diana Shnaider or qualifier Maja Chwalinska.
The women’s singles final at Roland Garros will take place at 3pm in Paris on Saturday, June 6.
