NEW DELHI: 16-year-old Russian tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva displayed "amazing" tennis to dismantle the sixth seed Ons Jabeur in under an hour during the second round in a stunning upset at the Australian Open.
Playing her debut tournament at Melbourne Park, Andreeva showcased exceptional form to defeat the three-time major runner-up 6-0, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in just 54 minutes.
Ranked 47th in the world, Andreeva's victory marked her first triumph over a top-10 player, a remarkable achievement for the young talent who made waves by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon last year as a qualifier.
Expressing her pre-match nerves, Andreeva said, "I was really nervous before the match because I am really inspired by Ons and the way she plays."
She further added, "In the first set, I showed amazing tennis; I honestly didn't expect that from myself. I just wanted to play on this big court for the second time and just to enjoy the tennis and the time, and I did."
Andreeva, who previously competed on center court at Melbourne Park in the girls' final, demonstrated a level of maturity beyond her years.
Reflecting on her growth over the past year, she noted, "I feel like I am a bit more mature than I was before. Over this year, I think I have changed a lot, and I think you can see that on the court."
The first set of the match was a swift and dominant performance by Andreeva, completing a 20-minute demolition job. Jabeur, a seasoned player at 29, struggled to find her rhythm, winning only eight points and making 10 unforced errors.
Although Jabeur managed to hold serve and score in the opening game of the second set, Andreeva maintained her relentless attack, breaking again to secure a convincing victory.
With this win, Andreeva has added another milestone to her growing list of accomplishments, including a quarter-final appearance at the Brisbane International.
The talented Russian, the younger sister of fellow professional Erika Andreeva, is proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the tennis circuit. Her exceptional performance at the Australian Open has undoubtedly caught the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide, setting the stage for a promising future in the sport.
(With inputs from AFP)
