Across the southern barrios of Madrid, the 15-year-old Mirra Andreeva continued to command attention on her debut at the Madrid Open as she followed up her maiden WTA victory against Leylah Fernandez by toppling Beatriz Haddad Maia, the world No 14, 7-6 (6), 6-3 to reach the third round.
Andreeva, a Russian player who was born in Siberia but lives in Cannes, is only the seventh player under 16 years old in the 21st century to defeat a top 20 player. The victory continues one of the most impressive breakout seasons this year.
Since narrowly losing in the Australian Open girls final, Andreeva has won every professional match she has played in 2023 and received a wildcard in Madrid after winning two consecutive ITF tournaments. Currently ranked 194, Andreeva will rise to a new career high of at least 164. She is also the youngest of two playing siblings: her 18-year-old sister, Erika, is ranked 114th and on the verge of the top 100.
“I’m a bit surprised [to be in the third round] but also everyone was telling me they are playing the same level as you, they are just more consistent,” Andreeva told WTA Insider. “Their mental level is different but the game-level is almost the same.”
Andy Murray’s poor run of form continued as he was beaten in the first round of the Madrid Open by Andrea Vavassori, an Italian qualifier ranked 164, losing 6-2, 7-6 (7). While Murray started the match poorly the Italian served well, with the Scot rushing the net as he quickly found himself down a set and a break. Despite his poor level throughout, Murray still had the chance to force a third set after recovering the second set break and pushing Vavassori to a tie-break.
From 3-6 down in the tie-break, Murray saved three match points and then put himself in a brilliant position at 6-6, sweeping to the net and finding an open court to finish the point. Instead, he dumped a backhand volley into the net. Shortly after Vavassori closed out the match.
“You probably would have made that,” said Murray to a journalist, smiling. “No disrespect to your tennis abilities, but I mean it’s not a shot that top players should be missing. Bad miss.”
After a positive start to the season, Murray’s form has flatlined. Over the past six weeks he has lost four matches, and eight sets, in succession. Despite a variety of views within his team, though, Murray says he would like to play at the French Open, possibly for the last time.
“I would like to play just purely because I don’t know if I’ll get another opportunity to play again,” he said. “Whilst I feel fit and healthy, I would like to give it a go. But, yeah, I also have ambitions of competing for Wimbledon titles and that sort of stuff. I know that sitting here today that probably doesn’t sound realistic, but I do believe that that’s a possibility. I obviously want to do the right thing there.”
