With a 10-match winning streak under her belt, 17-year-old Russian tennis player Mirra Andreeva is making a name for herself in the professional circuit. She recently trounced Elina Svitolina in a 7-5, 6-3 victory at the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, showcasing her prowess and preparing for her semi-final face-off against Iga Swiatek.
Andreeva’s meteoric rise in tennis has been nothing short of extraordinary. She’s the first player under the age of 18 to secure such an impressive winning streak since Nicole Vaidisova’s feat way back in 2005.
In February, she clinched her second career title, which also happens to be her most significant one yet, at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai. Notably, she became the first woman since Maria Sharapova in 2004 to defeat three Grand Slam champions at a single event.
Andreeva attributes her newfound confidence to the work she’s been doing with her sports psychologist. She asserts that this professional support has helped her understand the nuances of her game better and adjust her mindset before and during matches. The results, she says, speak for themselves.
Among the Grand Slam champions that Andreeva has bested is Swiatek. She defeated her 6-3, 6-3 in a stellar performance that marked Andreeva’s first win over the Polish player. But Andreeva is cautious about resting on her laurels. She understands that past victories don’t guarantee future success.
She acknowledges that the semi-final is a fresh match in a new setting and that she must prepare adequately for it. Andreeva promises an exciting game, given their head-to-head score is 1-All, and looks forward to seeing who comes out on top.
Swiatek, on the other hand, has recently savored a taste of ‘revenge’ over Zheng Qinwen, against whom she lost in a particularly tough semi-final match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The five-time Grand Slam champion admits that no player enjoys losing, and everyone seeks a small sense of revenge against those who’ve bested them.
After her loss to Qinwen, she made a point to learn from her mistakes. Swiatek believes that the hard court conditions will be more predictable than the clay surface of the Olympics, which she feels did not favor her style of play. She’s optimistic that the rematch will yield a different result.
Both Andreeva and Swiatek are gearing up for their semi-final clash, and tennis enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating a thrilling match.