Mirra Andreeva celebrated her 16th birthday on Saturday by securing her spot in the Round of 16 of the Madrid Open. The Russian teenager defeated Magda Linette 6-3 6-3 in what was a major upset for the Australian Open semifinalist.
Andreeva began her unlikely Madrid Open journey on Wednesday when she faced the 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Annie Fernandez in the Round of 128. There, she stunned Fernandez with a straight sets victory of 6-3 6-4, becoming the third-youngest player in history to win a match at a WTA 1000 event. The WTA world number 194 then went on to face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, whom she dispatched with a tight 6-7 (6) 3-6 triumph.
The rising star is now set to face WTA world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the Round of 16.
“I didn’t expect to be here and playing Sabalenka in the round of 16,” Andreeva exclaimed after her win. “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.”
