17-Year-Old Andreeva Shines at French Open Semifinals
Seventeen-year-old Mirra Andreeva and her carefree approach to tennis has propelled her to historic heights. Preferring to rely on her instincts rather than a strict game plan, the Russian player has become the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in over 25 years.
At the French Open, in only her sixth major tournament, Andreeva defeated the No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4. She now faces No. 12 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy, who reached her first major semifinal by beating No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina.
Ranked 38th and coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, Andreeva is known for her spontaneous play style. “I always play the way I want to play,” she says. Despite having a pre-match strategy, she often forgets it, choosing to play intuitively instead.
The other semifinal features No. 1 Iga Swiatek against No. 3 Coco Gauff, both aiming for more Grand Slam glory. Swiatek is chasing her fifth title, while Gauff seeks to add to her U.S. Open win last year.
Andreeva’s rapid rise recalls the success of Martina Hingis, who at 16 reached a Grand Slam semifinal in 1997. Monica Seles, also 16, was the last player to defeat a top-ranked woman at the French Open in 1990.
Balancing her burgeoning career with typical teenage activities, Andreeva maintains a sense of normalcy. Despite not enjoying schoolwork, she finds time for TV series and social media, yet her maturity and self-awareness are notable. “I feel mature, and I know what I’m doing,” she says.
Her instinct-driven game involves making quick decisions on court, which can be both an asset and a challenge. Against Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, Andreeva’s adaptability shone through, especially as Sabalenka struggled with a stomach illness.
As Andreeva prepares to face Paolini, their previous encounter in Madrid, which Andreeva won, adds an extra layer of intrigue. Paolini acknowledges the teenager’s strong mental game and defensive skills, predicting a tough but exciting semifinal.
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