Mirra Andreeva has advanced to the US Open fourth round for the first time in her career, having defeated Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2, Eva Lys 6-0, 6-2, and Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 7-6 without dropping a set. The 19-year-old Russian, seeded fifth, will now face Anastasia Potapova in the next round.
Andreeva’s undefeated run in New York marks a breakthrough at the only Grand Slam where she had previously failed to reach the second week. Before the tournament, much attention had focused on players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff as title contenders, but Andreeva’s performances have shifted that perception.
Andreeva holds a 3-1 head-to-head record against Potapova, including a victory in last year’s US Open second round and a win in this year’s Linz final following a three-set match. Potapova, however, arrives with momentum after defeating last year’s finalist Amanda Anisimova to reach the fourth round for the first time in New York.
When discussing the differences in their games, Andreeva described Potapova as “a hitter” who likes to hit from the baseline while maintaining consistency. She also noted that Potapova “has been having a hell of a season so far, you know, beating so many great players.”
Andreeva works with coach Conchita Martinez and has focused on becoming more disciplined and consistent while dictating points. However, she emphasized that improvisation remains central to her tennis. “I’ve been trying to be disciplined. I’ve been trying to be consistent, to do whatever Conchita tells me to do, to be aggressive, to be the one dictating the point. But at the same time, I think I wouldn’t be playing as good if I wouldn’t add a little bit of improvisation,” she explained.
The teenager acknowledged that she often deviates from the game plan during matches, joking that “Conchita will kill me, but I still kind of do whatever I want on the court.” Despite this, her instinctive decisions have produced positive results so far in the tournament.
Andreeva reflected on how her perspective on expectations has evolved. “Maybe before I think it would give me some pressure because I would want to do even better and I would want to prove everybody and myself that, you know, that I kind of deserve what I have. But now at this point, I don’t feel freedom. I don’t feel pressure. I just feel like I’m doing whatever I’m doing and that’s it.”
Key facts
- Andreeva has won all three matches at the US Open without dropping a set
- She holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Potapova
- This is Andreeva’s first time reaching the US Open second week
- Andreeva defeated Potapova in the Linz final earlier this year
- Potapova reached the fourth round after defeating Amanda Anisimova