Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old Russian sensation ranked world No. 7, has made tennis history at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, becoming the youngest WTA player to reach multiple quarterfinals at the prestigious WTA 1000 event. On April 28, a day before her 18th birthday, Andreeva defeated Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round, securing her 10th win at a single WTA 1000 event—a feat not accomplished by a player under 18 since 2009. Her historic achievement sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash with No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, marking their first meeting since the 2023 French Open.
Andreeva’s path to the quarterfinals was a display of her aggressive baseline game and mental fortitude. She opened her campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marie Bouzkova, followed by a 7-5, 6-3 win against No. 27 seed Magdalena Frech. Her fourth-round triumph over Starodubtseva saw her save all nine break points faced, showcasing her clutch play under pressure. “I was very nervous,” Andreeva admitted post-match. “Madrid always feels special, but I’m happy to stay consistent here.”
This marks Andreeva’s third consecutive deep run in Madrid. In 2023, as a 15-year-old wildcard ranked No. 194, she stunned the tennis world by reaching the fourth round, defeating Leylah Fernandez, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Magda Linette before falling to Aryna Sabalenka. In 2024, she reached her first Madrid quarterfinal, again losing to Sabalenka. Her 2025 performance cements her as a clay-court force, with Tennis Channel noting, “Andreeva is the youngest to reach multiple Madrid quarterfinals, a record that speaks to her fearless talent.”
Andreeva’s 2025 season has been a breakout, with back-to-back WTA 1000 titles at Dubai and Indian Wells, where she defeated top players like Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka. Her Madrid success further solidifies her No. 7 ranking and 9-9 record against Top 10 opponents, a remarkable stat for a teenager. “I’m excited to face Coco,” Andreeva said, reflecting on their 2023 Roland Garros clash, where Gauff won 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1. “It’s been two years, and I want to see how I’ve grown.”
Despite a power outage disrupting the tournament after her match, Andreeva remained unfazed, focusing on her goal to surpass her 2024 French Open semifinal run. With coach Conchita Martinez in her corner, the former junior No. 1 is poised for a potential upset against Gauff, who reached her first Madrid quarterfinal after a 6-4, 6-2 win over Belinda Bencic. “Mirra’s game is insane for 17,” said analyst Andrea Petkovic, noting her ability to outshine even Carlos Alcaraz’s early milestones.
