Inspired by Legend, Andreeva Rolls in AO Opener

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 12, 2025
Picture credit score: Jean Catuffe/Getty

Shrewd courtroom sense makes teenager Mirra Andreeva a significant menace.

As of late, Andreeva goals to proceed her ahead march trying again to an all-court artist.

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Roland Garros semifinalist Andreeva confirmed bold assault sweeping Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 to roll into the Australian Open second spherical.

A yr in the past, Andreeva knocked off Ons Jabeur en path to the AO fourth spherical in her match debut. She returns to Melbourne this yr ranked No. 15 and pushing towards a High 10 breakthrough.

The 17-year-old Andreeva is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, however cites one other Grand Slam champion as her tennis position mannequin: Martina Hingis.

Corridor of Famer Hingis captured three consecutive Australian Open championships from 1997-1999.

The Swiss Miss’ talent taking part in off the entrance foot and shutting at internet have impressed Andreeva to sharpen her internet expertise.

As we speak, Andreeva received 14 of 21 journeys to internet and typically used her exact return recreation to arrange internet rushes. Andreeva, who like Hingis owns a deadly two-handed backhand, received 11 of 15 factors performed on the Bouzkova second serve.

Andreeva sees Hingis as stylistic soul sister.

“I at all times like the best way Martina Hingis was taking part in. I’ve seen some similarities, I might say,” Andreeva stated. “She’s additionally taking part in good. I might say she performed good and I am additionally taking part in good as her.

“I am making an attempt to, you recognize, play good, however I feel that the distinction is that she was by no means afraid to, you recognize, are available in and end the purpose and be extra aggressive.”

Andreeva, who’s fast across the courtroom, stated she’s studying to make use of her velocity as an offensive weapon and transition to internet.

“Now I am simply beginning to learn to do it,” Andreeva stated of her efforts to enhance internet play. “ I am simply, you recognize, the primary matches of the yr I am beginning to, I am making an attempt to pressure myself to complete the purpose on the internet or to go, to step within the courtroom.”

“I might say that after I watched [Martina Hingis] play, she would at all times, as quickly as she has a chance, she would at all times are available in and attempt to end the purpose much more aggressive,” Andreeva stated. “And Steffi Graf, I might say that she’s a difficult participant with that slice. And she or he truly performs, I might say, just about like Conchita with a slice, after which she would flip round to her forehand. That could be a bit totally different, so I am not utilizing loads of slices (smiling). However I can see a little bit of similarities with me and Martina Hingis.”