Now and then, a young player comes around that you know is destined for greatness even before they win anything significant. That was Mirra Andreeva, the minute she arrived on the scene as a 15-year-old making her tour-level debut.
Blessed with an elite counterpunching game and a tennis IQ that transcends her youth, she always looked the part. And now, despite having already won some big titles, she’s now won one of the biggest titles in the sport, claiming the French Open singles title to clinch her maiden Grand Slam trophy.
Andreeva Wins Maiden Slam in Paris
This French Open, across both draws, had already produced some of the most shocking and equally interesting results, rarely seen in this tournament, with many of the favourites and top seeds falling early. It culminated in one of the most unexpected women’s finals between teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva and surprise sensation Maja Chwalinska. The teenager arrived as the favourite, but nothing was being taken for granted in a tournament that had already provided sufficient warnings.
First set
The match started with a trade of four breaks following an expected nervy first few exchanges, with the wind playing no small part. After which, both players finally held their first service games. Normal service seemed to have resumed as Andreeva broke in the 7th game; however, she held serve to get within a game of winning the set.
Chwalinska stepped to the line, knowing she must hold to stay in the set. However, Andreeva was looking dialled in at that point, as she broke again to bring an end to a set that saw only three service holds.
Second set
The first set was only the second set; the Pole Chwalinska had lost the tournament, and she hoped it would be the last set she lost as she tried to raise her game in the second set. However, Andreeva had shifted gears several notches up as she raced to a 5-0 lead, including a 0-40 fightback to hold while two games up.
Chwalinska held to prevent the ignominy of a final bagel. Andreeva stepped to the line to serve it out and faltered as Chwalinska broke for the third time in the match, heightening the nerves the young Russian must have been enduring.
However, the young Russian, determined not to be denied, broke again to love, finishing the match as it had started and, by so doing, bringing what has been a remarkable women’s singles French Open tournament to a conclusion. She became the youngest French Open champion since Monica Seles in 1992. Fifteen years before Mirra Andreeva was even born.
The Aftermath
It marks a remarkable achievement that had already seen her among some high-profile names even before clinching the trophy.
The young Russian, going into the final, already boasted a 17-3 record at Roland Garros in her first 20 matches, putting her in an elite category. The only women in the Open Era to start their French Open journey with a better efficiency are Christ Evert, Monica Seles, Margaret Court and Iga Swiatek. Each of these women went on to win multiple French Open titles, suggesting that with the young Russian, we might still be in the early days of a true clay-court icon. Quite some company to be keeping.
The young Russian, now having won her first Grand Slam, will find herself under closer scrutiny, and she will come to terms with the expectations that accompany being a Grand Slam champion. It’ll be interesting to see how well she handles the pressure, as recent history has shown players like Emma Raducanu, Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu struggling to push on after winning their first Grand Slam. However, the way the young Russian carries herself suggests she’s more likely to march on to even greater things.
For Chwalinska, despite the pain of defeat, this tournament has been nothing short of a revelation, as she has enjoyed some of her best days this fortnight since becoming a professional player. She will be proud of her efforts, and it’ll be interesting for fans alike to see what she can achieve in the coming months. Unfortunately, she is not in the main draw for Wimbledon despite rising to world No. 21, as the tournament’s entry deadlines are set about six weeks before the tournament. However, she may very well receive a wildcard, which is nothing more than she deserves.
It marks a fitting conclusion to the women’s French Open. Tomorrow, attention turns to the Men’s singles final as the tennis world waits to see if Alexander Zverev can finally win an elusive Grand Slam.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – Imagn Images
