MELBOURNE (Agencies): Teenager Mirra Andreeva says knocking out her idol Ons Jabeur in the Australian Open was “probably” the best display of her fast-developing career.
The 16-year-old showed once again why is she is one of the sport’s rising stars by demolishing an out-of-sorts Jabeur in a 6-0 6-2 second-round win.
“It was one of my dreams to play against her because I really like the way she plays,” said the 47th-ranked Russian, who won in 54 minutes.
“It means a lot to win this match.”
Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki is also out of the season-opening Grand Slam tournament after letting a lead slip against Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva.
Wozniacki, playing in her second major event since returning last year from having two children, was beaten 1-6 6-4 6-1 in the 20-year-old’s first main-draw match at a Slam.
Timofeeva, ranked 170th, said beating a player of 2018 champion Wozniacki’s stature had left her “speechless”.
“I was going into the match without any expectations, just to show what I’m capable of. I enjoyed every second of it,” she added.
US Open champion Coco Gauff is through to the third round after a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 win over fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
Those matches took place indoors on the main show courts because of heavy rain in Melbourne. The start of play was delayed by more than four hours on the outside courts.
Andreeva earns first top-10 win
Andreeva is leading the latest crop of prodigious youngsters defying expectation and, since arriving on the scene last year as a 15-year-old, has shown a fearlessness on the Grand Slam stage.
Shortly after reaching the Madrid Open last 16 in her second WTA tournament, she continued to make headlines by cruising into the last 32 at Roland Garros without dropping a set.
There she lost to Coco Gauff but progressed even further at Wimbledon by reaching the last 16.
Because of her age, Andreeva is only allowed to play in a limited number of WTA tournaments as the governing body tries to nurture the development of teenage players.
On one of the biggest stages of all, and against a three-time Grand Slam finalist, she demonstrated the quality of her all-round game to record a first win over a top-10 opponent.
“Probably it was the best match [of my career],” said Andreeva, who faces France’s Diane Parry or Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova, next.
“The first set, I didn’t expect that I would play this good. Second set was also not bad.
“For me, it was an amazing match. I’m super happy with the level that I showed today on the court.”
