PARIS, June 6, 2024 – In a remarkable upset at the French Open, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva has etched her name in tennis history by becoming the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in 27 years. Andreeva’s sensational victory came against none other than Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, in a gripping encounter that showcased Andreeva’s poise and determination.
Faced with the daunting task of overcoming a set deficit, Andreeva displayed unwavering resolve to emerge triumphant with a scoreline of 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4. Sabalenka, visibly struggling with illness, found herself unable to contain Andreeva’s relentless onslaught, setting the stage for a historic clash in the last four against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
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Andreeva’s remarkable feat not only makes her the youngest woman to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam since Martina Hingis in 1997 but also marks a significant milestone at Roland Garros. Guided by her coach, 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, the Russian prodigy has captured the imagination of fans with her fearless approach to the game.
Reflecting on her unorthodox playing style, Andreeva revealed, “I always play the way I want to play. We have a plan with my coach for the match, but after I forget everything, and when I play a match, I don’t have any thoughts in my head.” Her carefree attitude and on-court spontaneity have proven to be her greatest assets, leaving opponents struggling to decipher her unpredictable moves.
In Thursday’s semifinal showdown, Andreeva will go head-to-head with Jasmine Paolini, who herself caused a stir by dispatching fourth seed Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. Paolini, 28, has experienced a remarkable turnaround in her Grand Slam fortunes, reaching her first major semifinal after years of early exits.
Sabalenka, despite her valiant effort, succumbed to illness during the match, revealing, “I have been very sick the last few days with some kind of stomach bug, so it’s been a challenge.” However, the Belarusian fighter never considered retiring from the match, demonstrating her resilience and fighting spirit until the very end.
The French Open has witnessed a surge of Italian success this year, with both Andreeva and Paolini making history by reaching the semifinals. This unprecedented achievement is further highlighted by Jannik Sinner’s presence in the men’s semifinals, marking the first time an Italian man and woman have appeared in the final four of a Grand Slam tournament in the same year.
As the tennis world eagerly awaits the exhilarating semifinal matchups, with Andreeva poised to continue her remarkable journey, the French Open continues to captivate audiences and showcase the emergence of new stars in the sport
