By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 12, 2025
Picture credit score: Jean Catuffe/Getty
Shrewd courtroom sense makes teenager Mirra Andreeva a significant menace.
Lately, Andreeva goals to proceed her ahead march trying again to an all-court artist.
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Roland Garros semifinalist Andreeva confirmed formidable assault sweeping Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 to roll into the Australian Open second spherical.
A yr in the past, Andreeva knocked off Ons Jabeur en path to the AO fourth spherical in her match debut. She returns to Melbourne this yr ranked No. 15 and pushing towards a Prime 10 breakthrough.
The 17-year-old Andreeva is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, however cites one other Grand Slam champion as her tennis function mannequin: Martina Hingis.
Corridor of Famer Hingis captured three consecutive Australian Open championships from 1997-1999.
The Swiss Miss’ ability taking part in off the entrance foot and shutting at internet have impressed Andreeva to sharpen her internet abilities.
In the present day, Andreeva gained 14 of 21 journeys to internet and typically used her exact return sport to arrange internet rushes. Andreeva, who like Hingis owns a deadly two-handed backhand, gained 11 of 15 factors performed on the Bouzkova second serve.
Andreeva sees Hingis as stylistic soul sister.
“I all the time like the way in which Martina Hingis was taking part in. I’ve seen some similarities, I’d say,” Andreeva mentioned. “She’s additionally taking part in sensible. I’d say she performed sensible and I am additionally taking part in sensible as her.
“I am attempting to, you realize, play sensible, however I feel that the distinction is that she was by no means afraid to, you realize, are available in and end the purpose and be extra aggressive.”
Andreeva, who’s fast across the courtroom, mentioned she’s studying to make use of her velocity as an offensive weapon and transition to internet.
“Now I am simply beginning to learn to do it,” Andreeva mentioned of her efforts to enhance internet play. “ I am simply, you realize, the primary matches of the yr I am beginning to, I am attempting to power myself to complete the purpose on the internet or to go, to step within the courtroom.”
“I’d say that once I watched [Martina Hingis] play, she would all the time, as quickly as she has a chance, she would all the time are available in and attempt to end the purpose much more aggressive,” Andreeva mentioned. “And Steffi Graf, I’d say that she’s a difficult participant with that slice. And he or she truly performs, I’d say, just about like Conchita with a slice, after which she would flip round to her forehand. That could be a bit completely different, so I am not utilizing plenty of slices (smiling). However I can see a little bit of similarities with me and Martina Hingis.”