16-year-old at Australian Open
Child prodigy Mirra Andrejewa is celebrating a furious comeback
January 19, 2024, 9:28 a.m
Aryna Sabalenka continues to storm through the tournament at the Australian Open. In the third round she distributes a pair of “glasses”. Jannik Sinner has dominated the men’s category so far. But the really big spectacle is delivered by 16-year-old Mirra Andrejewa.
Child prodigy Mirra Andrejewa continues to impress at the Australian Open. The 16-year-old Russian was close to elimination against Frenchwoman Diane Parry, but when she was 1:5 behind in the third set and had a match point against her, she made a phenomenal comeback and won 1:6, 6:1, 7:6 (10:5).
Andrejewa, who knocked out world number six Ons Jabeur with an outstanding performance in the second round, reached the round of 16 for the second time at a Grand Slam. There she will meet ninth-seeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova or Australian Storm Hunter.
Meanwhile, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka remains undeterred on the way to defending her title at the Australian Open. The Belarusian moved confidently into the round of 16 and gave the 28th seeded Ukrainian Lesja Tsurenko no chance with a 6-0, 6-0 win in just 52 minutes.
Gauff also very happy
Sabalenka, who won her only Grand Slam title to date in Melbourne a year ago, is in top form at the first major tournament of the year and has not lost a set in three games. “I’m super happy with the level I’m playing at the moment,” said Sabalenka after handing the “glasses” to Tsurenko: “Hopefully I can keep it up.”
In the round of 16, the world number two will meet the American Amanda Anisimova, who impressed on her return to the Grand Slam stage after mental problems last year and defeated the Spanish Paula Badosa 7:5, 6:4.
US Open champion Coco Gauff didn’t show any weakness and reached the next round with an easy 6:0, 6:2 against her American compatriot Alycia Parks. “I’m very happy with the way I’m playing so far,” said Gauff.
Jannik Sinner is increasingly playing the role of favorite among the men. The Italian easily won against Argentinian Sebastián Báez 6:0, 6:1, 6:3 and is the only top player in Melbourne without losing a set. Towards the end of last year, Sinner had already shown some outstanding performances at the ATP finals and in the Davis Cup.