In the heart of Rome’s Foro Italico, where the clay courts shimmer under the Italian sun, 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva carved out a milestone victory at the Italian Open, defeating Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-2, 6-4 in a second-round clash that marked her first-ever win at the prestigious tournament. The world No. 7, a rising star with a flair for the dramatic, battled through moments of inconsistency to dispatch the Merida runner-up in a match that tested her resilience. “It wasn’t easy, especially in the second set,” Andreeva admitted post-match, her candid reflection underscoring the mental fortitude required to navigate the pressure of a WTA 1000 event.
Andreeva, seeded seventh and fresh off a first-round bye, entered the match as the heavy favorite against Arango, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100 who reached the Merida final earlier this year. The Russian teenager, known for her versatile game and fearless shot-making, started with characteristic aggression, blending powerful groundstrokes with delicate drop shots to dominate the first set. She broke Arango’s serve twice, capitalizing on the Colombian’s unforced errors to wrap up the set 6-2 in just 35 minutes. Her performance echoed the brilliance that saw her claim back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells earlier this season, where she became the youngest champion in the tournament’s history since Serena Williams in 1999.
The second set, however, revealed Andreeva’s human side. As Arango found her rhythm, exploiting the clay’s slower pace to extend rallies, Andreeva’s error count crept up. “I made a few too many mistakes,” she later confessed, acknowledging the unforced errors that allowed Arango to stay competitive. The Colombian, buoyed by her recent success in Mexico, broke Andreeva’s serve to level the set at 4-4, threatening an upset as the sparse but vocal crowd leaned into the drama. Yet, Andreeva’s composure under pressure—a hallmark of her meteoric rise—shone through. She regrouped, leaning on her improved serve and a clutch backhand winner to break back immediately. Serving for the match, she sealed the victory with a pinpoint forehand that Arango could only watch sail past, prompting a relieved smile from the teenager.
This win, Andreeva’s 25th of the 2025 season, cements her status as a force on the WTA Tour. Her journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. At 15, she stunned the tennis world with a fourth-round run at the 2023 Madrid Open, becoming one of the youngest players to defeat top-20 opponents. Since then, she’s added a French Open semifinal, an Olympic doubles silver medal with Diana Shnaider, and a career-high ranking of No. 6 in March 2025. Her collaboration with coach Conchita Martinez, a four-time Rome champion, has been pivotal. “I hope she’s going to share some tips with me on how to do the same,” Andreeva said earlier this week, referencing Martinez’s record-breaking success at the Foro Italico.
Despite her accolades, Andreeva remains refreshingly unburdened by her ranking, a trait that endears her to fans. In a pre-tournament interview, she admitted to barely tracking her position, saying, “I feel like it’s easier not to pay attention to what’s my ranking, what are the positions.” Her focus, instead, is on process—finding balance in her game and managing the emotional highs and lows of professional tennis. “I’m still the same old Mirra, whether I win a tournament or not,” she insisted, a grounded perspective that belies her age.
Andreeva’s victory over Arango sets up a third-round showdown with Czech talent Linda Noskova, a match that promises to test her mettle further. Noskova, a powerful hitter and Doha runner-up, poses a significant challenge, but Andreeva’s adaptability on clay—honed through her Roland Garros semifinal run last year—makes her a formidable contender. The Russian’s game, a blend of guile and power, is tailor-made for the surface, allowing her to construct points with creativity. Her 398 winners and 78 aces in WTA 1000 events this year speak to her offensive prowess, while her 9-9 record against top-10 players signals her ability to compete with the elite.
As the Italian Open unfolds, Andreeva’s performance in Rome could propel her closer to the top 5, a goal within reach given her third-place standing in the 2025 WTA Race. For now, though, her focus remains on the next match, a mindset instilled by Martinez’s guidance and Andreeva’s own determination. “I’m just trying to do my thing the best way I can,” she said, a mantra that has carried her from a Siberian junior to a global tennis sensation. With the French Open looming, Andreeva’s Rome campaign is a chance to build momentum and silence doubters who question whether her rapid ascent can sustain itself. If her gritty win over Arango is any indication, the tennis world should brace for more of Mirra Andreeva’s magic.
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