At just 18, Mirra Andreeva has been the talk of the tennis world in 2025, her meteoric rise punctuated by back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells and a career-high No. 5 ranking. The Russian prodigy arrived at the National Bank Open in Montreal as the fourth seed, poised to make a deep run on the hard courts where she thrives. But her campaign came to an abrupt and painful end in the third round on July 31, 2025, as a bad fall and a subsequent ankle injury contributed to a stunning 6-4, 6-1 defeat to American McCartney Kessler. The loss, Andreeva’s first match of the tournament after a first-round bye and a second-round walkover, sent shockwaves through the tennis community and left fans wondering about the young star’s condition as the US Open looms.
Andreeva’s journey in Montreal began with promise but was marred by misfortune. After receiving a bye as a top seed, she advanced to the third round without hitting a ball when her second-round opponent, Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, withdrew due to a left ankle injury sustained in her opening match. Expectations were high for Andreeva, who had posted an 18-3 record on hard courts this season, including victories over Grand Slam champions like Aryna Sabalenka and Clara Tauson. But her clash with Kessler, a rising American ranked No. 32, proved to be a test she couldn’t overcome. Early in the second set, with Kessler leading 4-1, Andreeva suffered a fall that left her clutching her left ankle. A medical timeout followed, with trainers attending to the visibly shaken teenager. “Mirra Andreeva n’aura fait que passer à Montréal,” one observer noted on social media, capturing the disappointment of her brief appearance. “Sa chute (cheville) n’a pas aidé, mais crédit à l’américaine Kessler.”
Despite the injury, Andreeva bravely continued, but her movement was noticeably compromised. Kessler, who has enjoyed a breakout 2025 with two WTA 250 titles and a 16-8 hard-court record, capitalized on the opportunity. The American’s all-court game and nimble footwork kept Andreeva on the defensive, and she converted 47.5% of her break-point chances to secure the upset in straight sets. “Mirra ainda teve uma queda e precisou de atendimento no tornozelo, embora tenha ido até o fim,” a fan posted online, noting Andreeva’s resilience in playing through pain. The defeat marked Andreeva’s first match since a Wimbledon quarterfinal loss to Belinda Bencic, and the surface change, combined with a month-long break, may have left her rusty. Still, Kessler’s performance was a statement, as she outmaneuvered one of the tour’s best movers, winning 62% of her first-serve points compared to Andreeva’s 70%.
The Montreal crowd, known for its passion at IGA Stadium, was left deflated as Andreeva, a player they’d hoped to see shine, exited early. “Dommage de ne pas pouvoir conserver la jeune 5e raquette mondiale avec nous,” one fan lamented, reflecting the sentiment of those who saw Andreeva as a potential champion. Her 2025 season has been a revelation—semifinals in Brisbane and Roland Garros, quarterfinals in Madrid, Rome, and Wimbledon, and a doubles silver medal at the Paris Olympics alongside Diana Shnaider. Yet, this loss highlighted the unpredictability of tennis, where even the brightest stars can be derailed by a single misstep. Andreeva’s serve, typically a weapon with a 74.9% win rate on hard courts, faltered under pressure, and her 43.5% return game couldn’t keep pace with Kessler’s relentless aggression.
As Andreeva hobbled off the court, questions swirled about her ankle’s condition and its implications for the North American hard-court swing. The Cincinnati Open, starting in just over a week, and the US Open, where she reached the quarterfinals last year, are critical tests in her young career. “A ver se atrapalhará a sequência,” one observer speculated, wondering if the injury would linger. Andreeva’s team has yet to release an official update, but her history of resilience—she bounced back from a 13-match ITF winning streak in 2023 to conquer WTA 1000 events—suggests she’ll be determined to return stronger.
For now, Kessler advances to the round of 16, her confidence soaring after toppling a top-five player. The National Bank Open, with its expanded 96-player draw and star-studded field featuring Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Iga Swiatek, continues to deliver drama. Andreeva’s early exit, though, serves as a reminder of the fine margins in professional tennis, where a single fall can shift the trajectory of a tournament—and perhaps a season.
Leave a Reply