15-year-old Russian youngster Mirra Andreeva defeated 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the first round of Madrid Open.
Wildcard Mirra Andreeva has become the third 15-year-old to win a WTA 1000 main-draw match with victory over Leylah Fernandez at the Madrid Open.
Russian Andreeva, ranked 194 in the world, won 6-3 6-4 against the Canadian in the opening round on Wednesday.
Andreeva, who turns 16 on Saturday, saved five of the six break points she faced against world number 49 Fernandez, BBC Sport reports.
The Russian youngster also became the third youngest after Coco Gauff and Cici Bellis to win a WTA 1000 match. Moreover, Andreeva became the second youngest to beat a Top 50 opponent at a WTA 1000 championship.
American CiCi Bellis and compatriot Coco Gauff achieved the same feat at the Miami Open in 2015 and 2019 respectively.
She takes on Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round on Thursday.
Andreeva, who is playing without a flag because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is the youngest player in the top 300 of the WTA world rankings.
“It was a really tough match for me and I just tried to give my best and to play every point. I’m extremely happy with my level today,” Andreeva was quoted as saying after the match.
