Mirra Andreeva has advanced to the Australian Open second round after coming from behind to defeat Donna Vekic on Monday.
The eighth seed looked to be in trouble after dropping the first set against Vekic, but fought back to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory on the Margaret Court Arena.
Andreeva recently revealed her off-season training focus, and it seems her preparation has paid off after starting the 2026 season in emphatic fashion.
The Russian star, 18, won her first WTA title of the season in Adelaide last week, and has continued to impress in Melbourne.
Who are your favourites for the 2026 Australian Open title?
Credit: Sofascore
Under the tutelage of Conchita Martinez, Andreeva has become a serious contender for Grand Slam titles.
The pair have an excellent relationship, and yet again Martinez was left chuckling following Andreeva’s latest victory.
Mirra Andreeva’s comments leave Conchita Martinez laughing
After defeating Victoria Mboko in the Adelaide Open final last week, Mirra Andreeva wore a sweatshirt with the message ‘I would like to thank myself.’
Today, Andreeva was asked a pertinent question during her on-court interview: “What would you like to thank yourself for?”
While smiling and laughing, Andreeva said: “Well I think today once again, I did everything. I don’t know what my team sitting there in the corner doing nothing [laughing].
“Yeah, honestly I’m very happy with how I came back today in this match, how I didn’t lose my focus, how I still tried to go for my shots and still tried to be brave
“And maybe Conchita, once or twice, gave me advice like here and there, but overall, just all me again.”
The interviewer then asked: “We’ve got to give her [Martinez] a bit of credit surely?”
Andreeva jokingly responded: “Just a little bit, she’s still a good coach but yeah she needs to improve a little.”
The cameras cut to Conchita Martinez [pictured below] sitting in the stands. Martinez clearly found Andreeva’s comments amusing, as she was seen laughing to herself.
Conchita Martinez said she was impressed by Mirra Andreeva’s maturity
In an interview with the French Open in 2024, Conchita Martinez commented on her relationship with Andreeva.
Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon Women’s Singles champion, said: “I am very impressed by her [Andreeva’s] maturity level. She’s still 17, so she has those moments still when she is like a child.
“She plays games, jokes around and in the moments she needs to be serious [clicks fingers] she can switch to that. That’s very important, I feel like she respects me and my work.”
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
“In practice I am firm, but I also want her to acknowledge when she hits a really amazing shot or does something really well. It’s about enjoyment, having fun too and when it doesn’t happen, it’s ok, she doesn’t need to be as hard on herself.
“Off the court she’s very fun, polite, very well educated. She’ll see everyone and say good morning, thank you and all of that.
“I hope she never loses that and stays humble. That’s a quality, as long as I’m with her, I will hope to keep.”
Who will Mirra Andreeva play next?
Andreeva faces a tough second round contest against former world number three Maria Sakkari.
Sakkari, who suffered a disappointing 2025 season, has bounced back emphatically at the start of 2026, securing wins against Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka.
The Greek star, now ranked 53rd in the world, defeated Leolia Jeanjean 6-4, 6-2 in her Australian Open first round match.
Andreeva and Sakkari have never played each other before on the WTA Tour.
