Mirra Andreeva impresses in comfortable win over Bektas, returns to second round
The Russian teenager defeated Emina Bektas 6-2, 6-3 in their first-round meeting in Paris. She’ll face either Azarenka or Podoroska in the next round
Mirra Andreeva, Rome, 2024 © Zuma / Panoramic
Mirra Andreeva confidently dispatched Emina Bektas 6-2, 6-3 to return to the second round of Roland-Garros on just her second appearance on the Parisian clay.
A little over a year since her stunning breakthrough at the Madrid Open in 2023, 17-year-old Andreeva continues to consistently impress at the biggest tournaments.
The Russian’s powerful groundstrokes are accompanied with a tennis intelligence far beyond her years, as her shot choices exhibit both her understanding of the game and the levels of variety she has at her disposal.
Today’s return game was especially impressive from the teenager, who broke five times in total and converted half of her ten break point opportunities.
While there will be far tougher examinations ahead, Bektas is within the world’s top 100 at No 97 and has the experience of nearly fourteen more years on tour than Andreeva.
Despite now being up at 38th in the world, it is testament to just how quickly she has developed that Andreeva is expected to routinely win these early-round big-stage matches, and that she consistently delivers in this area.
This season has been a lesson-serving one for the young Russian thus far, as the rigours of tour life and injuries that accompany it led to a difficult first few months of the year.
However, this difficult spell came immediately after yet another remarkable Grand Slam run in Melbourne, where Andreeva reached the fourth round before falling to Krejcikova in three sets, and was abruptly halted by another superb showing in the Spanish capital.
On a drab and uninspiring day of wet weather and rain delays in Paris, Andreeva’s result and performance shone through as this remarkable young player continues to deliver at Grand Slam tournaments.
She will face either Victoria Azarenka or Nadia Podoroska in the second round, either of whom will be another big step up in quality.
But, as always, it will be another challenge that Andreeva is more than ready to face.
