Russian wunderkind Mirra Andreeva admitted she was a little bit upset with the way she lost to Aryna Sabalenka but noted it was still a very memorable Madrid campaign for her. Andreeva, who turned 16 during the Madrid Open, suffered a 6-3 6-1 defeat to second-seeded Sabalenka in the Madrid round-of-16.
After playing the reigning Australian Open champion for the first time, Andreeva spoke extremely highly of Sabalenka’s tennis. “It’s been a positive week for me and I can take only positives from this week. Of course I’m a little bit upset because in the beginning it was close and I had a lot of game points and break points so if I could, let’s say, realise them then the score could be 6-2 in the first.
But I didn’t, she played really well, she’s playing aggressive tennis. She certainly did a good job today, so congrats to her. I think it’s her birthday today, so it’s a good present for her,” Andreeva said, per the Madrid tournament website.
Sabalenka said it took her a few games to adjust to Andreeva’s tennis
Before meeting Sabalenka, Andreeva clinched three very strong wins – the Russian defeated 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, 14th-ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia and 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Magda Linette.
Sabalenka entered the Andreeva match knowing she would have to be at her best or otherwise the 16-year-old could clinch another stunning win. Early in the match, Andreeva had her chances – but after Sabalenka survived that – she dominated the rest of the match.
“It was a great match, I’m really happy with the result. First few games I was just trying to adjust to her game and rhythm and after that I started to feel my game a little bit better and I started playing better.
I’m super happy with this win, especially against a young player. I was focusing on myself more than on her. I was just fighting for every point, and that makes the difference,” Sabalenka said after beating Andreeva.
