Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva has put the Australian Open on discover with a straight-sets upset defeat of world quantity six Ons Jabeur.
Key factors:
- Andreeva triumphed over Jabeur 6-0, 6-2
- She solely gave up eight factors within the first set
- The 16-year-old is showing in her first Australian Open principal draw
Enjoying underneath the roof on Rod Laver Enviornment because of Melbourne’s inclement climate, 16-year-old Andreeva obliterated the three-time main finalist, profitable 6-0, 6-2 in 54 minutes.
It was Andreeva’s first win over a top-10 participant in simply her fourth look in the primary draw of a serious.
Andreeva, making her debut within the Australian Open principal draw, was relentless and confirmed no indicators of nerves in opposition to the previous world quantity two.
She secured three consecutive service breaks at hand Jabeur a “bagel” within the first set, with the Tunisian at one stage revealing a despairing smile as she struggled underneath her opponent’s domination.
The primary set was over in simply 20 minutes, with Andreeva — who was a finalist within the ladies singles finally 12 months’s Australian Open — solely conceding eight factors.
In a second of desperation, Jabeur — who has been runner-up at Wimbledon up to now two years and likewise reached the 2022 US Open remaining – walked over to her participant’s field on the finish of set, looking for some type of inspiration.
An animated dialog adopted along with her teaching employees and it labored to some extent, with Jabeur holding serve to win the opening recreation of the second set, which she celebrated by waving a finger excessive within the air.
It was a quick reprieve, nonetheless, as she dropped her subsequent service recreation.
Andreeva did face a break level within the fourth recreation, however she cooly held after which broke Jabeur for the fifth time of the match to guide 4-1.
At 5-2, she served out the match, earlier than receiving a heat embrace from a respectful Jabeur after they met on the internet.
“I am actually impressed by Ons, earlier than I began to play on the WTA Tour I all the time watched her matches,” Andreeva stated in her on-court interview.
“Now I had an opportunity to play her and within the first set I confirmed some wonderful tennis. I did not count on that from myself.
“I am a bit extra mature than I used to be earlier than. Final 12 months I used to be 15, this 12 months I’ve modified lots and I believe you’ll be able to see that on the court docket.”
Whereas it’s going to go down as a shock end result, Andreeva was all the time going to be a tough task for Jabeur, given her standing because the reigning WTA Newcomer of the Yr award winner.
She started 2023 ranked 405 on the earth however climbed to 46 by the tip of the 12 months.
Andreeva slid down one spot by the point the Australian Open received underway, nonetheless a third-round look or higher at Melbourne Park will see her surge up the standings.
She reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon final 12 months and will match that efficiency if she will get previous both fellow Russian Kamilla Rakhimova or France’s Dianne Parry within the final 32.
