Andreeva, Korneeva – the Russian Miss Miracles take off
With victories over former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia, 15-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva has been the big sensation at the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid so far. Her compatriot Alina Korneeva, who is the same age, seems to have made a smooth transition to the women's tour.
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit:
Apr 29, 2023, 01:05 pm
Her early arrival to warm up before the women's final at the Australian Open between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina in the junior women's final should not be regretted by the spectators at the Rod Laver Arena. In an almost epic battle, the then 14-year-old Alina Korneeva won 6:7, 6:4, 7:5 against her good friend and doubles partner Mirra Andreeva after 3:18 hours of play. The images of the tearful and respectful consolation at the handshake went around the world.
Andreeva on a flawless winning streak on the women's tour
At junior level, in addition to the drama in Australia, there were two more final defeats in Traralgon and Cairo, and in the two weeks before the tournament in Madrid Andreeva started a splendid winning streak on the women's circuit. In direct succession, the 15-year-old triumphed in Switzerland, first at the ITF W60 tournament in Chiasso and then at the same-categorized tournament in Bellinzona. Without a sign of fatigue, the teenager traveled to the 1000 tournament in the Spanish capital, where she was wildcarded into a place in the main draw. After a smooth two-set victory over 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, the Russian followed up with another win without dropping a set against No. 13 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, taking her season record on the pro circuit to 15-0. In the live ranking, these successes are currently being rewarded with a place very close to the top 100.
In the footsteps of Medvedev
Since last year, Andreeva has focused her training on an academy that enjoys an impeccable reputation in her home country. Already Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev trusted the coaching team around the former professional player Jean-Rene Lisnard for seven years at the Elite Tennis Center in Cannes from 2013 and laid the foundations for his world career there. Alina Korneeva also followed in the footsteps of her famous compatriot. Last season, the then 14-year-old won a total of six ITF junior events, including the prestigious International German Youth Championships in Bamberg, where players like Boris Becker and Steffi Graf also found Medvedev in the list of winners.
First titles for Korneeva on the pro circuit
Korneeva was also allowed to place the first trophies from the women's tour in her home showcase. After last year's success at the ITF W25 tournament in Casablanca, the 15-year-old, who has been training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor for a long time, surprised everyone with her triumph from qualifying at the $ 60,000 ITF tournament in spring Pretoria, where she defeated former world No. 25 with Timea Babos in the final. The successful entry at WTA level seems to be only a matter of time.