Russian wunderkind Mirra Andreeva says she “has nothing to lose” against Aryna Sabalenka and noted the pressure is on the Belarusian to deliver against a 16-year-old. Andreeva has been one of the best stories of this year’s Madrid Open as she has been through to the Madrid round-of-16 in her WTA debut.
On Saturday, Andreeva turned 16 and defeated 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Magda Linette 6-3 6-3. In the previous two rounds, Andreeva defeated 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez and world No 14 Beatriz Haddad Maia, respectively.
Now, Andreeva is set to face reigning Australian Open champion and world No 2 Sabalenka.
Andreeva on playing against 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 that,” Andreeva said on Tennis Channel.
Prior to coming to Madrid, Andreeva won back-to-back ITF clay titles in Chiasso and Bellinzona….
