Mirra Andreeva was in no mood to wait around as she finally got on court after rain played havoc with the schedule at the 2024 French Open. But she certainly made up for lost time in history making fashion.
Andreeva saw off fellow rising star Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-1 after defeating Daria Kasatkina last round. This makes her the youngest player since Anna Kournikova to reach the Last 16 on every surface.
Andreeva has now completed the feat with runs on all surfaces. Kournikova achieved it back at the 1998 French Open. She was just shy of turning 17 though. Whilst Andreeva is well past that point and is over a month after turning 17. Before that point, Andreeva had reached the Last 16 also at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
“I didn’t know that,” Andreeva said in her post-match press conference. “I’m happy that I’m the first in 26 years. OK, that’s good. I like that. Yeah, I’m happy that I managed to win a lot of matches and to be here.”
Next up is Varvara Gracheva for Andreeva in both a more simpler task than Stearns. But also a potential banana skin. She admitted herself this facet with the duo being friends and practice partners.
“Well, yea I know her pretty well. We’ve been practicing together for almost two years. So, I know what to expect. She is at a great level right now, she plays great, so I’m sure it’s going to be a good match. I know it’s going to be hard. Probably we are going to play some big points. She is French, you know, all this stuff,” Andreeva said in her post-match press conference
“So it’s going to be pretty tough for me but I am really excited about the match because it’s challenging for me, I know that, the atmosphere, everyone will cheer for her. Also, I know her very well and she’s my friend, so, it’s like a challenge for me, and I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting match