Andreeva, Timofeeva keep expectations low to reach new heights

Russian youngsters Mirra Andreeva and Maria Timofeeva earned places in the Australian Open third round on Wednesday.

Imago/Panoramic

January 17, 2024

Up-and-coming Russians Mirra Andreeva and Maria Timofeeva were going up against two of the most well-respected veterans in tennis on Wednesday afternoon at the Australian Open. Andreeva was looking at one of her idols, Ons Jabeur, on other side of the net. Standing in Timofeeva’s way of the third round was 2018 Aussie Open champion Caroline Wozniacki.

That’s why neither youngster was counting on staying alive at the season’s first Grand Slam.

“I didn’t think I was going to win to be honest,” Andreeva said after crushing Jabeur 6-0, 6-2. “I was just thinking try to win seven or eight games if possible.”

“I was going on the court without a lot of expectations,” Timofeeva admitted. “Yeah, I was just very happy to be there.”

Timofeeva gets three-set win over Wozniacki

Timofeeva did a lot more than just be there. The 20-year-old recovered from a tough first set to upset Wozniacki 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 after two hours and 21 minutes. She struck 40 winners — 23 more than Wozniacki.

“The level for all the whole match I think was really high for me,” the world No 170 assessed. “Just the first set I think I chose the wrong tactic. I started to play long rallies with Caroline, which was a really big mistake because she was overplaying me really most of the times. (In the) second and the third set, (I’m) really glad how I managed to be aggressive — yeah, starting to just be more aggressive, hit more winners. Luckily today most of the balls went in.”

RUSSIANS ON THE RISE

Despite being four years younger than Timofeeva at 16, Andreeva is already a household name in tennis circles. She reached the third round of the 2023 French Open and made a run to the Wimbledon fourth round a few weeks later. That is a big reason why Andreeva is already up to No 47 in the rankings — and expected to climb much higher. She is projected to be at least No 34 even if she loses her next match.

“I just try to not to think about [my future potential],” Andreeva said. “I don’t think that I [have achieved] something incredible. I have time still to do that. Sometimes when I’m lying in bed, I can overthink a little bit. But the next morning I’m totally fine. I mean, I’m 16. Why do I have to think about the rankings?”

If Timofeeva keeps up her current level, she could making a similar move to the one he countrywoman engineered last year. She’s already making moves in the social-media department. Timofeeva had 6,029 Instagram followers before he match against Wozniacki started. She had 13,600 at the start of her press conference.

“That’s crazy,” she quipped. “I just checked the Instagram. I was, like, ‘What the hell happened?’ I was doing mine for like three years. I had 5,000 followers. Now I opened (it and) I gained 8,000 in one match. That’s crazy.

“It’s my first main draw of a Grand Slam. Everything feels like a dream so far.”

It’s a dream that’s really just beginning for both rising stars.