In a gripping second-round clash at the 2025 French Open, 18-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva delivered a masterclass in resilience, defeating American Ashlyn Krueger 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round at Roland Garros. The victory, played out on May 29, 2025, on the clay courts of Court Simonne-Mathieu, was more than just a step forward in the tournament—it was a personal triumph for Andreeva, who avenged her straight-sets loss to Krueger at the 2024 US Open. The No. 6 seed’s performance showcased her tactical brilliance and mental fortitude, cementing her status as one of tennis’s brightest young stars and fueling speculation about a deep run in Paris.
Andreeva, now ranked world No. 7, entered the match with a point to prove. Ten months earlier, Krueger had stunned her in New York, winning 6-1, 6-4 in a match that exposed Andreeva’s vulnerabilities on hard courts. On the slower clay of Roland Garros, however, the Russian flipped the script. Despite a sluggish start, trailing 3-1 in the opening set, Andreeva found her rhythm, reeling off five consecutive games to claim the set 6-3. Her ability to adapt was on full display, blending deft defensive play with pinpoint shot-making. “This match wasn’t easy,” Andreeva admitted post-match. “I lost to her at the US Open, so I knew this match would be very tough. She’s a very powerful and aggressive player, so I knew I had to play very good today. I just tried to do everything I can. I suffered a little bit with my serve, but I’m happy I found a way in the end and I stayed calm.”
The second set was a scrappier affair, marked by inconsistency on both sides. The players combined for 10 double faults, and four consecutive service breaks kept the Court Simonne-Mathieu crowd on edge. Krueger, ranked No. 35, leaned on her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, briefly holding leads at 3-2 and 4-3. Yet, Andreeva’s superior movement and variety proved decisive. In the eighth game, she thrilled spectators with a delicate drop shot, showcasing her tactical nous, and followed it with a sprinting forehand winner in the ninth to secure the crucial break. Serving out the match, Andreeva remained composed, sealing the 6-4 victory in 1 hour and 13 minutes. “I suffered, struggled a bit with my serve,” she said, reflecting on the challenge, “but I’m happy I found a way.”
Andreeva’s journey at the 2025 French Open has been a testament to her meteoric rise. At just 18, she is the youngest WTA top-10 player to win a match at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 1999. Her 2025 season has been a breakout, with WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, where she toppled world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Her clay-court prowess is evident in her 8-3 record at Roland Garros, a remarkable feat for a player in only her ninth Grand Slam main-draw appearance. This victory over Krueger, who had dispatched Suzan Lamens 6-3, 6-4 in the first round, marked Andreeva’s 29th win of the year and her 20th in a major main draw. Her ability to overcome early deficits—similar to her comeback from 3-0 down against Cristina Bucsa in the first round—underscores a maturity beyond her years.
Krueger, a 20-year-old Texan, showed flashes of the form that propelled her to a career-best win over Andreeva at the US Open. Her powerful game, honed under coach Michael Joyce, kept Andreeva under pressure, but inconsistency and Andreeva’s defensive mastery proved too much. “Ashlyn pushed me, especially in the second set,” Andreeva noted, acknowledging her opponent’s tenacity. For Krueger, the loss is a learning opportunity as she continues to build on her 2023 Osaka title and her 2024 US Open third-round run.
Looking ahead, Andreeva faces either No. 32 seed Yulia Putintseva or qualifier Joanna Garland in the third round, with a potential quarter-final clash against Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa looming. Her section of the draw, softened by early upsets like Karolina Muchova’s first-round exit, offers a tantalizing opportunity for a second consecutive Roland Garros quarter-final—or more. Fans on social media celebrated her “revenge mission,” with posts buzzing about her consistency and intensity at such a young age. As Andreeva continues her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title, her blend of grit, finesse, and unflappable demeanor makes her a formidable contender on the Parisian clay.
# Mirra Andreeva’s Redemption Triumph Over Ashlyn Krueger at French Open
In a gripping second-round clash at the 2025 French Open, 18-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva delivered a masterclass in resilience, defeating American Ashlyn Krueger 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round at Roland Garros. The victory, played out on May 29, 2025, on the clay courts of Court Simonne-Mathieu, was more than just a step forward in the tournament—it was a personal triumph for Andreeva, who avenged her straight-sets loss to Krueger at the 2024 US Open. The No. 6 seed’s performance showcased her tactical brilliance and mental fortitude, cementing her status as one of tennis’s brightest young stars and fueling speculation about a deep run in Paris.
Andreeva, now ranked world No. 7, entered the match with a point to prove. Ten months earlier, Krueger had stunned her in New York, winning 6-1, 6-4 in a match that exposed Andreeva’s vulnerabilities on hard courts. On the slower clay of Roland Garros, however, the Russian flipped the script. Despite a sluggish start, trailing 3-1 in the opening set, Andreeva found her rhythm, reeling off five consecutive games to claim the set 6-3. Her ability to adapt was on full display, blending deft defensive play with pinpoint shot-making. “This match wasn’t easy,” Andreeva admitted post-match. “I lost to her at the US Open, so I knew this match would be very tough. She’s a very powerful and aggressive player, so I knew I had to play very good today. I just tried to do everything I can. I suffered a little bit with my serve, but I’m happy I found a way in the end and I stayed calm.”
The second set was a scrappier affair, marked by inconsistency on both sides. The players combined for 10 double faults, and four consecutive service breaks kept the Court Simonne-Mathieu crowd on edge. Krueger, ranked No. 35, leaned on her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, briefly holding leads at 3-2 and 4-3. Yet, Andreeva’s superior movement and variety proved decisive. In the eighth game, she thrilled spectators with a delicate drop shot, showcasing her tactical nous, and followed it with a sprinting forehand winner in the ninth to secure the crucial break. Serving out the match, Andreeva remained composed, sealing the 6-4 victory in 1 hour and 13 minutes. “I suffered, struggled a bit with my serve,” she said, reflecting on the challenge, “but I’m happy I found a way.”
Andreeva’s journey at the 2025 French Open has been a testament to her meteoric rise. At just 18, she is the youngest WTA top-10 player to win a match at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 1999. Her 2025 season has been a breakout, with WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, where she toppled world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Her clay-court prowess is evident in her 8-3 record at Roland Garros, a remarkable feat for a player in only her ninth Grand Slam main-draw appearance. This victory over Krueger, who had dispatched Suzan Lamens 6-3, 6-4 in the first round, marked Andreeva’s 29th win of the year and her 20th in a major main draw. Her ability to overcome early deficits—similar to her comeback from 3-0 down against Cristina Bucsa in the first round—underscores a maturity beyond her years.
Krueger, a 20-year-old Texan, showed flashes of the form that propelled her to a career-best win over Andreeva at the US Open. Her powerful game, honed under coach Michael Joyce, kept Andreeva under pressure, but inconsistency and Andreeva’s defensive mastery proved too much. “Ashlyn pushed me, especially in the second set,” Andreeva noted, acknowledging her opponent’s tenacity. For Krueger, the loss is a learning opportunity as she continues to build on her 2023 Osaka title and her 2024 US Open third-round run.
Looking ahead, Andreeva faces either No. 32 seed Yulia Putintseva or qualifier Joanna Garland in the third round, with a potential quarter-final clash against Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa looming. Her section of the draw, softened by early upsets like Karolina Muchova’s first-round exit, offers a tantalizing opportunity for a second consecutive Roland Garros quarter-final—or more. Fans on social media celebrated her “revenge mission,” with posts buzzing about her consistency and intensity at such a young age. As Andreeva continues her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title, her blend of grit, finesse, and unflappable demeanor makes her a formidable contender on the Parisian clay.
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