After witnessing straight sets victories for Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev, Court Philippe Chatrier awaited a highly anticipated clash between home favorite and wild card Fiona Ferro and World #8 Mirra Andreeva.
Mirra Andreeva Reaches French Open Second Round
A Promising Start
The sun dazzled on the immaculate clay as both women walked out to a packed home crowd cheering on the 29-year-old.
Andreeva admitted in her on-court interview,
“When I saw the schedule that I was going to play on Sunday and on Court Philippe-Chatrier, I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s a great start.'”
She would have been forgiven for feeling some nerves. After all, it was just last year when Andreeva crashed out to a fellow home favorite in Lois Boisson on the same arena at the quarterfinal stage.
There were to be no such complications today. Andreeva started with a purpose, immediately breaking serve to surge into a 2-0 lead. She seemed assured, barely leaving second gear but constructing points at such ease.
A Tournament She Enjoys
Despite the frustrating scenes last year as she lost not only to a home sensation but a buoyant crowd, Roland Garros has largely brought positive memories to the young Russian. It’s the site where she made her breakthrough, with a maiden Grand Slam semifinal at just seventeen years old, beating an unwell Aryna Sabalenka along the way. Meanwhile, last year’s quarterfinal run, as disappointing as it may have seemed, marked just her second ever appearance at that stage. A month later, she would repeat this feat at Wimbledon.
Easing into a 4-2 lead, Andreeva found so much joy on the backhand wing. Able not only to flatten it out, but also to play a loopy deep ball with consistent depth, Ferro seemed at a loss on how to counter this force.
Yet, she fashioned three break point opportunities in the seventh game and all of a sudden the French crowd was making itself heard. However, a combination of increased Andreeva aggression and rashness from Ferro meant that the former reeled off five straight points to secure a crucial hold.
Andreeva Excelled When It Mattered
It was a pattern that would repeat throughout the match, at the most crucial points. Andreeva was that bit more attacking in her groundstrokes, aiming nearer to the tramlines, and was able to save six of seven break points.
As the second set began, Andreeva continued to fashion backhand exchanges, from which there was only ever going to be one winner. 4-1 up, Ferro seemed desperate, emptying everything out of the tank, playing with more attacking intent but unable to rock the 8th seed.
She refused to budge though, and soon had a break of serve to show for it. Now at 4-3, she remained one break behind, but was flat-lining and once again entertaining those in attendance. There had been a shift in momentum and the Parisians roared in excitement for the 29 year old.
Andreeva reflected,
“Sometimes, I get tense, but today I just told myself, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ I got a little bit tense at 4-1 … but I just told myself that it’s also not easy to come back.”
Closing Out A Tense Second Set
Andreeva soon showed her class, holding her serve before finishing off an excellently played point with a backhand volley to force a match point. With Ferro serving 5-3, 40-15 down, the 19-year-old returned deep into her backhand. Fittingly, it would be the last shot that Andreeva would play, with Ferro hitting her return into the net.
Andreeva rejoiced,
“I knew that [the crowd] was going to do everything [they] can to give her a lot of support. She played great today and I’m just super happy with the win.”
Picking a winner for this year’s Roland Garros is a tough task. Aryna Sabalenka will always be there or thereabouts, as will Iga Swiatek in Paris. Just what version of Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina turns up will also play a major role. Nevertheless, Andreeva forms a bracket of players alongside Elina Svitolina who have really played themselves into contention with an excellent clay court season to date.
A Great Clay Season To Date
After a disappointing start to the year, she announced herself straight back into the winners’ circle with a first title of the season at the WTA 500 Upper Austria Linz Open. A week later, she reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, beating Swiatek along the way, only to be derailed by Rybakina. Madrid and Rome were similarly impressive, bringing a runner-up medal and another quarterfinal appearance
So, after today’s victory, she is 16-3 on the clay and sits fifth in the race. Winning breeds confidence and when Andreeva has confidence, she can be a match for anyone.
Mirra Andreeva will face Marina Bassols Ribera in the next round. With the greatest of respect, you would fancy Andreeva to win this one.
Looking ahead, she finds herself in Karolina Muchova, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Ryabkina’s quarter. Muchova and Paolini have proven themselves on this stage before, reaching previous finals. And while Rybakina has still to reach a French Open final, she has shown terrific individual performances, including running Iga Swiatek close last year and defeating Serena Williams five years ago.
There is still a lot of tennis to be played, but should any of these matchups arise, it will surely be a treat for the spectator.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
