To reach the final of the WTA 500 in Brisbane, Mirra Andreeva will have to overcome the biggest obstacle in the WTA Tour: Aryna Sabalenka (who is winning the match they are playing at the moment).
"I would say that I have improved a lot in all aspects of my game. I feel like I have more power when I hit the ball and more physical power in general. I am satisfied with the way I am playing and I think it depends on the great work done during the preparation. For months I have felt ready to win important matches, now I am even more confident. I have made great steps forward also from a mental point of view," explained the 17-year-old in a press conference.
Andreeva made a clear reference to the work done with coach Conchita Martnez, analyzing: "She made me understand that I couldn't have such a negative mentality on the court. Now I accept defeats much better. In addition, she made my tennis more varied and this allowed me to improve a lot."
Doubles final to play against Priscilla Hon/Anna Kalinskaya and singles semifinal with the challenge to WTA number 1 Sabalenka: Andreeva can still aim for the double of the beginning of the season at the Brisbane International, even if she is losing the singles semifinal against the Belarusian. In a path that on paper was anything but easy, the young Russian player overcame Anna Blinkova, Linda Noskova and Ons Jabeur without dropping a single set on the road.
The start of the season of the young Russian has therefore been really excellent and if this is only the beginning, we can expect a great season from the rising star. 2005 could be her year, the year of the leap in quality, which could take her among the best in the world, despite her young age.
The physical and mental improvements she talked about in Brisbane were evident: but she now has to give continuity to these results, and the Australian Open is the perfect event to understand what part of her journey she has reached.
