Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva found the perfect way to celebrate her 16th birthday by continuing her breakout showing at the Madrid Open with a two-set win over Magda Linette.
Andreeva thrust her arms high after winning a long exchange that ended with her breaking Linette’s serve for a fourth time to secure the decisive point of her 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Linette, an Australian Open semi-finalist, became the latest player to be upset by the upstart Andreeva.
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Earlier this week, the then-15-year-old Andreeva stunned 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez to become the third youngest player to win a main-draw match at a WTA 1000 tournament. She followed that up by beating 14th-ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Her next challenge? Nothing less than world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.
“I didn’t expect to be here and playing Sabalenka in the round of 16,” Andreeva said.
“I’m not really surprised with my level, because I know the way I can play on the court. But of course I didn’t expect to be here and go this far.”
In the men’s draw, second-seeded Daniil Medvedev advanced to the third round after beating qualifier Andrea Vavassori 6-4, 6-3 in the Russian’s tournament opener.
The third-ranked Medvedev leads the men’s circuit with four titles this season, all on hard courts. He is 32-4 for the year.
Medvedev is considered the top challenger to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who fought back to beat Emil Ruusuvuori in three sets in his opener.
Fifteen year-old continues Madrid run
Medvedev, however, said he was keeping his expectations in check given the surface was not his best.
“I will try my best as always,” Medvedev said.
“Today, I felt very good on the court, and on the rallies I was in control and that is very important on clay.”
The 164th-ranked Vavassori upset two-time Madrid winner Andy Murray in the previous round.
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