Aryna Sabalenka didn’t really believe Mirra Andreeva when the 16-year-old Russian said she would feel no pressure against the reigning Australian Open champion. Andreeva, a Madrid Open wildcard who turned 16 over the weekend, beat three notable names to set up a round-of-16 match against world No 2 Sabalenka.
Sabalenka didn’t underestimate Andreeva and the Belarusian claimed a routine 6-3 6-1 win over the Russian wunderkind. “I don’t believe that she had no pressure, and today I felt on the court that she actually had a little pressure.
There’s always pressure on the match court. If she wants to be a top player, there is something to lose. There is always pressure on both of us, and I think she’s had to deal with pressure,” Sabalenka said.
What did Andreeva say before meeting Sabalenka?
“I didn’t expect to be here and playing Sabalenka in the Round of 16.
I’m not really surprised with my level, because I know the way I can play on the court but of course, I didn’t expect to be here and go this far. I have nothing to lose. I just have to go there and show the best tennis I can.
There is no pressure at all for me. There is some pressure on her, I think, because she’s going to play a 16-year-old girl. Most probably, we will play on some stadium, so I’m excited to do…
