Can Mirra Andreeva Overcome Ashlyn Krueger's Challenge at the French Open?

Paris, May 29 (NationPress) Following her defeat to Ashlyn Krueger at the US Open ten months ago, the 18-year-old Russian, Mirra Andreeva, seized her moment of redemption on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Overcoming a sluggish start, Andreeva bested Krueger 6-3, 6-4 in the second round on Thursday, marking her third consecutive advancement to the third round in Paris.

Andreeva displayed remarkable resilience in a match reminiscent of her gritty opening-round comeback. After falling behind 3-1 in the first set, she reversed the momentum against the strong-hitting Krueger with strategic shot selection and unyielding composure. Andreeva surged back, winning six games in a row to capture the set and the psychological edge.

“This match wasn’t easy,” Andreeva remarked in her post-match interview. “I lost to her at the US Open, so I knew it would be tough. She’s powerful and aggressive, so I had to stay calm and find a way.”

Krueger, who had defeated Andreeva 6-1, 6-4 in New York and reached her first WTA 500 final in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, began strong. Her depth and precision troubled Andreeva, who seemed unsettled in the initial five games. However, a momentary lapse in concentration while serving at 3-2, featuring three unforced errors and a double fault, opened the door for Andreeva, who capitalized immediately.

Once the teenager found her rhythm, particularly with her backhand and crafty drop shots, the match transformed. Her six-game winning streak flipped the narrative and put her ahead by a set and a break.

The second set became contentious, with both players battling inconsistencies in their serves, leading to a total of 10 double faults and four consecutive breaks during the middle phase. As the set progressed, Andreeva’s variety and agility stood out. In the eighth game, she delighted the Court Simonne-Mathieu audience with a deft defensive drop shot, followed by brilliant retrieving and a sprinting forehand winner that secured her the crucial break.

She finished the match confidently, sealing a straight-sets victory that highlighted her growth in 2025. Now ranked within the Top 10 after clinching her first two WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, Andreeva is rapidly maturing—both mentally and tactically.

In the third round, she awaits either No. 32 seed Yulia Putintseva or qualifier Joanna Garland, as the former Roland Garros semifinalist continues her quest to reach the second week of a major for the fifth time in just her ninth Grand Slam main-draw appearance.