Mirra Andreeva has produced a big upset at the Australian Open after thrashing Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur in straight sets.
The 16-year-old required less than an hour to beat the world No.6 6-0, 6-2, in what is only her fourth appearance in the main draw of a major tournament. Andreeva won 85% of her first service points and hit 13 winners past the Tunisian who produced a costly 24 unforced errors. It is the first time in her young career that she has beaten a top 10 player on the Tour.
“It was one of my dreams to play against her because I really like the way she plays.” Andreeva later told reporters in Melbourne.
“I’m inspired by her. So it means a lot, today it meant a lot, this match that I won.”
Andreeva has become the youngest female player in the Open Era to have bagelled a top 10 player in the singles draw of a Grand Slam event. She is also the second-youngest to concede three or fewer games against a top 10 payer at a major event after Jelena Dokic who is working at this year’s tournament as an on-court interviewer.
“It probably was the best match (of my career). In the first set, I didn’t expect that I would play this good. The second set was also not bad. So for me, it was an amazing match. I’m super happy with the level that I showed today on the court.” She said.
12 months ago the rising star was also making waves at the Australian Open but in the junior competition where she reached the final before losing a marathon match. Since then she has climbed almost 250 places in the WTA rankings to a current position of 47th in the world. One place below her career best.
Playing in the tournament’s premier stadium, Andreeva said she had extra motivation to do well after the last time she played there was in the junior final.
“When I saw that I would play on Rod Laver, I said that this time I have to take my chance and I have to win on the big court for the first time, and so I did.” She said.
As for Jabeur, the 29-year-old has suffered her earliest exit from the Australian Open since 2019. Coming into this year’s draw she opted not to play any warm-up events which is likely to have been a key factor in her heavy defeat. Although she is yet to publically comment on her latest match.
Andreeva, who has already won at least one match at every Grand Slam tournament despite her young age, will take on France’s Diane Parry in the third round.
