The Miami Open has delivered yet another electrifying chapter in women’s tennis, as Amanda Anisimova found herself at the center of a fiery controversy following her third-round victory over Russian phenom Mirra Andreeva. The clash, which unfolded under the bright lights of Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025, was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending with Anisimova snapping Andreeva’s remarkable 13-match winning streak in a gripping 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 battle. But it wasn’t just the scoreline that had tongues wagging—it was a mid-match incident that sparked accusations of gamesmanship and a bold post-match retort from the American that turned heads.
The tension ignited in the decisive third set, with Anisimova leading 3-1. Andreeva, the 17-year-old sensation who had stormed to back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, was serving at deuce in the fifth game when Anisimova abruptly halted play. Citing a blister on her right hand that she claimed left her unable to grip her racket, the 23-year-old American called for a medical timeout—a move permitted under WTA rules for acute injuries but one that drew immediate ire from her opponent. Andreeva, visibly frustrated, didn’t hold back, muttering to the chair umpire, “We all know why,” implying the stoppage was a calculated ploy to disrupt her rhythm. The Russian’s skepticism hung heavy in the humid Miami air as the physio tended to Anisimova’s hand, wrapping the blister while Andreeva paced, her momentum seemingly stalled.
Yet, the drama didn’t end on the court. After nearly three hours of grueling tennis, Anisimova emerged victorious, clinching the match with a swinging volley that silenced the doubters—at least temporarily. Andreeva held serve after the timeout but couldn’t break the American’s resolve in the third set, setting the stage for a post-match twist. Taking to Instagram, Anisimova fired back with a subtle yet pointed jab. She posted a photo of her bandaged middle finger—blister prominently displayed—raised in what many interpreted as a cheeky gesture toward her rival. Alongside it, she wrote, “‘We all know why’ at 3-1 up was a good one coming from the 1-2 first set medical,” flipping the script by referencing Andreeva’s own medical timeout early in the match for an abdominal issue. The shade was unmistakable, and the tennis world took notice.
This wasn’t just a petty spat—it was a clash of two of the season’s standout stars. Anisimova, who kicked off 2025 with a WTA 1000 title in Doha, and Andreeva, the teenage prodigy riding a wave of dominance, brought their A-games to Miami. The first set was a seesaw affair, with Andreeva serving for it at 5-4 only to be broken at love before Anisimova edged her out in a tiebreak. The Russian roared back in the second, capitalizing on Anisimova’s errors to level the match, but it was the American’s tenacity in the third that sealed the upset. “The skin broke on my finger,” Anisimova explained afterward, her tone calm but firm. “When you get an acute injury, you’re allowed to take a timeout, so that’s what I did.” She downplayed the on-court friction, even praising Andreeva as an “amazing player” and acknowledging the match’s intensity.
For Anisimova, a Miami resident playing on a big stadium court for the first time, this victory marked her deepest run at her hometown event. It also set up a blockbuster fourth-round showdown with Emma Raducanu, a rematch of their Australian Open encounter earlier this year, which Raducanu won. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Anisimova aims to ride this wave of momentum further, proving her resurgence is no fluke after years of battling injuries and inconsistency. Meanwhile, Andreeva’s exit dashed her hopes of becoming the first teenager to complete the “Sunshine Double”—a feat that would’ve capped her meteoric rise with historic flair.
Beyond the scoreboard, the match laid bare the raw emotions and high stakes of professional tennis. Anisimova’s decision to address the blister mid-game, while within the rules, stirred debate among fans and players alike about the fine line between strategy and sportsmanship. Her Instagram clapback only fueled the fire, turning a physical showdown into a digital one. As she prepares to face Raducanu, Anisimova carries not just the weight of expectation but the buzz of a rivalry reignited. For Andreeva, the loss stings, but her resilience at such a young age suggests this is merely a bump in an already dazzling career. In Miami, where the sun beats down and the drama simmers, this clash will be remembered as much for its off-court sparks as its on-court brilliance.