In a gripping third-round match at the Miami Open, American Amanda Anisimova ended Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva’s impressive 13-match winning streak with a hard-fought victory, prevailing 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3.
The first set was a tightly contested affair, with both players exchanging breaks. Andreeva, showing resilience, managed to push the set to a tiebreak. However, Anisimova held her nerve during the crucial moments, clinching the tiebreak 7-5.
Undeterred by the setback, Andreeva showcased her tenacity in the second set. She capitalized on Anisimova’s errors and dominated the set, winning 6-2, and leveling the match.
The final set was filled with drama and tension. Anisimova secured an early break to lead 3-1. At this juncture, she requested a medical timeout for a blister on her hand. The timing of this medical break, occurring during Andreeva’s service game, led to visible frustration from the young Russian and her coach, Conchita Martinez, who appeared to disagree with the umpire’s decision to allow treatment at that moment. citeturn0search0
Despite the interruption and mounting pressure, Andreeva continued to fight valiantly. She had multiple break point opportunities in the final set but was unable to convert them. Serving at 3-5 to stay in the match, the weight of the moment seemed to take its toll, and Anisimova seized the opportunity to break again, sealing the set 6-3 and thereby the match.
This victory propels Anisimova into the fourth round of the Miami Open, where she is set to face Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who advanced following the retirement of her previous opponent, McCartney Kessler. citeturn0search0
For Andreeva, this match marked the end of a remarkable winning streak that included a title at the Indian Wells Open, where she stunned top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Despite the loss, the 17-year-old’s performance in Miami further cements her status as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis.
The match between Anisimova and Andreeva not only highlighted the physical and mental demands of professional tennis but also underscored the fine margins that often separate victory from defeat. Both players displayed exceptional skill and determination, promising exciting prospects for the future of women’s tennis.
As the Miami Open progresses, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how Anisimova builds on this hard-fought victory and how Andreeva bounces back from this challenging loss.