Impressed by Legend, Andreeva Rolls in AO Opener

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 12, 2025
Photograph credit score: Jean Catuffe/Getty

Shrewd courtroom sense makes teenager Mirra Andreeva a significant risk.

As of late, Andreeva goals to proceed her ahead march trying again to an all-court artist.

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Roland Garros semifinalist Andreeva confirmed formidable assault sweeping Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 to roll into the Australian Open second spherical.

A 12 months in the past, Andreeva knocked off Ons Jabeur en path to the AO fourth spherical in her event debut. She returns to Melbourne this 12 months ranked No. 15 and pushing towards a Prime 10 breakthrough.

The 17-year-old Andreeva is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, however cites one other Grand Slam champion as her tennis position mannequin: Martina Hingis.

Corridor of Famer Hingis captured three consecutive Australian Open championships from 1997-1999.

The Swiss Miss’ talent taking part in off the entrance foot and shutting at web have impressed Andreeva to sharpen her web expertise.

Immediately, Andreeva gained 14 of 21 journeys to web and typically used her exact return recreation to arrange web rushes. Andreeva, who like Hingis owns a deadly two-handed backhand, gained 11 of 15 factors performed on the Bouzkova second serve.

Andreeva sees Hingis as stylistic soul sister.

“I at all times like the way in which Martina Hingis was taking part in. I’ve seen some similarities, I might say,” Andreeva mentioned. “She’s additionally taking part in good. I might say she performed good and I am additionally taking part in good as her.

“I am attempting to, you understand, play good, however I believe that the distinction is that she was by no means afraid to, you understand, are available in and end the purpose and be extra aggressive.”

Andreeva, who’s fast across the courtroom, mentioned she’s studying to make use of her pace as an offensive weapon and transition to web.

“Now I am simply beginning to discover ways to do it,” Andreeva mentioned of her efforts to enhance web play. “ I am simply, you understand, the primary matches of the 12 months I am beginning to, I am attempting to power myself to complete the purpose on the web or to go, to step within the courtroom.”

“I might say that once I watched [Martina Hingis] play, she would at all times, as quickly as she has a chance, she would at all times are available in and attempt to end the purpose much more aggressive,” Andreeva mentioned. “And Steffi Graf, I might say that she’s a difficult participant with that slice. And he or she truly performs, I might say, just about like Conchita with a slice, after which she would flip round to her forehand. That may be a bit completely different, so I am not utilizing lots of slices (smiling). However I can see a little bit of similarities with me and Martina Hingis.”