Youngest Grand Slam Semifinalist in 25 Years: Mirra Andreeva

Mirra Andreeva, a 17-year-old tennis prodigy from Russia, is making waves with her relaxed and instinctive approach to the game. Despite discussing strategies with her coach before matches, she prefers to rely on her instincts, leading to her historic achievement as the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in over 25 years.

In her sixth major tournament, Andreeva overcame the No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 at the French Open. This victory set up a semifinal against No. 12 seed Jasmine Paolini, who defeated No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina to reach her first major semifinal.

Ranked 38th and coached by Conchita Martinez, Andreeva’s spontaneity on the court is a key element of her success. “I always play the way I want to play,” she explains. While she and her coach create a game plan, she often forgets it during matches, relying instead on her natural feel for the game.

Thursday’s other semifinal pits No. 1 Iga Swiatek against No. 3 Coco Gauff, both formidable opponents with impressive records. Swiatek aims for her fifth Grand Slam title, while Gauff seeks to build on her U.S. Open victory.

Andreeva’s success story is reminiscent of tennis greats like Martina Hingis, who reached a Grand Slam semifinal at 16 in 1997. Similarly, Monica Seles was 16 when she defeated Steffi Graf at the French Open in 1990.

Balancing her tennis career with typical teenage activities, Andreeva juggles schoolwork, watching TV series, and social media. She attributes her success to her maturity and clear sense of direction. “I feel myself a mature person, and I know what I’m doing,” she says.

On the court, her game is driven by instinctual decisions, which sometimes overwhelm her with options. This approach proved effective against Sabalenka, who struggled with a stomach illness, allowing Andreeva to capitalize and secure the win.

As she prepares to face Paolini, their recent encounter in Madrid, where Mira emerged victorious, sets the stage for an intriguing match. Paolini, impressed by Andreeva’s mental strength and defensive skills, anticipates a challenging semifinal.

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