Under the vibrant Madrid sun, 17-year-old Russian tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva launched her 2025 Mutua Madrid Open campaign with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory over Czech veteran Marie Bouzkova in the second round on April 24. The Caja Mágica, a place where Andreeva first burst onto the global stage two years ago, once again bore witness to her precocious talent. The No. 7 seed, fresh off a stellar season that saw her claim WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, overcame a tactical battle marked by momentum shifts to secure her spot in the third round, reinforcing her status as one of tennis’s brightest young stars.
Andreeva’s connection to Madrid runs deep. In 2023, as a 15-year-old wildcard ranked No. 194, she stunned the tennis world by reaching the Round of 16, defeating top-50 players like Leylah Fernandez and Beatriz Haddad Maia. “It feels like literally a week ago,” she reflected, her voice carrying the weight of nostalgia. “But, yeah, of course, I’m super excited to come back to Madrid. I have great memories.” Now, nearly 18 and ranked No. 7, Andreeva returned as a top seed, having received a first-round bye. Her opponent, Bouzkova, world No. 58, had battled through a grueling three-setter against Renata Zarazua (6-2, 4-6, 6-1) to earn her place in the second round, setting the stage for a clash of styles.
The match was a test of Andreeva’s evolving game. Known for her impeccable shot selection and balanced groundstrokes, she thrives on clay, where her 79% win rate over the past year speaks volumes. Bouzkova, a counterpuncher with a defensively strong backhand, relied on redirects, slices, and blocks to disrupt Andreeva’s rhythm. Early in the first set, Andreeva surged to a 3-1 lead, her aggressive baseline play forcing errors from Bouzkova. A break at 4-2 seemed to seal her dominance, but Bouzkova fought back, breaking Andreeva’s serve to narrow the gap. Undeterred, Andreeva broke again, capitalizing on a Bouzkova double fault to claim the set 6-3. “I can say that I’m proud of myself that I did that,” she said of her ability to regroup, a nod to her growth since her Madrid debut.
The second set was a chess match. Bouzkova, leveraging her 57.07% second-serve return win rate, pushed Andreeva to deuce in critical games. At 2-2 and 3-3, Andreeva faced break points but held firm, saving five of six break points overall. “A lot of people say a lot of things and sometimes there are thoughts that are crawling into your head and you sometimes start to overthink,” she admitted, crediting her team for helping her stay focused. The decisive moment came at 5-4, when Andreeva broke Bouzkova’s serve on her fourth match point, sealing the 6-4 set after saving a break point mid-game. Despite 47 unforced errors, her 34 winners showcased her willingness to take risks, a hallmark of her fearless style.
This victory marked Andreeva’s second win over Bouzkova in 2025, following a 6-3, 6-3 triumph at the Australian Open. “There’s definitely something special about Mirra, the way she was able to compose herself at such a big stage,” Fernandez had said of Andreeva’s poise, a sentiment Bouzkova likely shared after their intense 1-hour, 34-minute duel. Andreeva’s clay prowess, evidenced by her 57.1% break-point conversion rate and a French Open semifinal run in 2024, made her the clear favorite, with betting odds giving her an 87.5% chance of victory.
Next, Andreeva faces No. 27 seed Magdalena Frech, whom she defeated 6-2, 6-4 at the Australian Open earlier this year. A potential fourth-round clash with Karolina Muchova or Liudmila Samsonova looms, with top seeds like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in her half of the draw. “This time I want to go for more,” Andreeva declared, her eyes set on surpassing her 2024 Madrid quarterfinal loss to Sabalenka. With a silver medal in doubles from the 2024 Paris Olympics and a top-10 ranking, the Russian teenager is no longer a surprise—she’s a force. As she approaches her 18th birthday, Andreeva’s Madrid journey is a testament to her relentless drive and undeniable talent, promising more unforgettable moments on the red clay.