Mirra Andreeva’s 13-match win streak came to an end in Miami as Amanda Anisimova defeated her in the third round in a thrilling and heated three-setter (7-6(5) 2-6 6-3). The young Russian was aiming for her third consecutive WTA 1000 title after winning in Dubai and Indian Wells. She was also hoping to become the first player since Iga Świątek in 2022 to complete the Sunshine Double. However, she couldn’t get past the home favorite–ironically, the same player who has won the only WTA 1000 event of the season (Doha) that hasn’t ended up in Andreeva’s pocket.
Despite Anisimova’s victory, the real talking point was what happened in the third set. It was indeed a match that didn’t end with the handshake at the net–it continued later, with new chapters unfolding on social media.
The “crime scene”
One set all, Anisimova leading 3-1 in the third. Andreeva was serving at deuce when the American requested a medical timeout due to a blister on her hand. The Russian didn’t like it at all and complained to the chair umpire, who reminded her that it was within her opponent’s rights: “She’s allowed to ask for it. The physio will assess the situation and determine whether she can have it.”
Still, the Russian remained skeptical, insinuating that Anisimova was trying to slow down the match’s pace: “We all know why…” she muttered. “My skin broke on my finger,” Anisimova later explained. “When you suffer an acute injury, you’re allowed to take a timeout, so that’s what I did.”
March Madness, or Miami Madness 🎭
Scenes on stadium court as Anisimova decides to call for the trainer mid game of Andreeva’s serve ⤵️
Mirra was not pleased.#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/112T4k4gv8
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 24, 2025
Anisimova’s response to Andreeva
Anisimova clearly didn’t appreciate Andreeva’s sarcastic remark on the court. In response, she posted a video on Instagram, addressing Mirra’s insinuation of gamesmanship. She showed a close-up of the blister on her middle finger, sending a clear message to the 17-year-old:
“‘We all know why’ at 3-1 up was a good one, coming from the player who took a medical timeout at 1-2 in the first set,” wrote Anisimova, who will face Emma Raducanu in the Round of 16. Now up to #8 in the Race, she will try to book a spot in the quarterfinals.
As for Andreeva, she not only had to deal with the loss but also faced her first wave of online hate. She posted a screenshot of some harsh comments on her social media account. Luckily, she managed to take it with humor, writing: “And this is what you get when you lose one match,” hinting at her first defeat after 13 consecutive wins.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
