Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old Russian prodigy, has etched her name into tennis history by equaling a rare record set by Venus Williams back in 1999. This milestone came on September 28, 2025, during a dominant 6-2, 6-1 second-round victory over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro at the China Open in Beijing—a WTA 1000 event. The win propelled Andreeva into the third round, where she now faces a formidable challenge against world No. 3 Coco Gauff.
The Record: Matching Venus’ Teenage Dominance
Andreeva’s triumph marked her **25th WTA-level win of the 2025 season** before turning 19—a feat last achieved by Venus Williams as a 17-year-old in 1999, when she racked up 25 victories en route to her breakout year. This places Andreeva in elite company among teenage phenoms, underscoring her meteoric rise. Prior to this, the record had been matched by Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in 2015 with 25 wins as a 17-year-old, but Andreeva’s achievement revives the Venus benchmark after over two decades.
– **Venus Williams’ Context (1999)**: At 18, Williams won her first Grand Slam (Wimbledon doubles with sister Serena) and reached her first singles major final (US Open), compiling 25 wins amid a season that launched her to No. 5 in the world.
– **Andreeva’s Parallel**: Now ranked No. 4, the Moscow native has transformed from a promising junior into a two-time WTA 1000 champion this year alone, with her aggressive baseline game and mental resilience drawing comparisons to early-career Williams.
This isn’t Andreeva’s first record-tying moment; earlier in 2024, she equaled Coco Gauff’s mark for the most WTA 1000 match wins (5) before age 18. Her 2025 haul already includes deep Grand Slam runs and titles that have her on track for a year-end top-5 finish.
# The Match: A Clinical Display
Seeded fourth in Beijing, Andreeva dismantled the 22-year-old Maneiro in just 62 minutes on the hard courts of the Diamond Court. Serving at 76% efficiency with five aces, Andreeva broke serve six times while facing zero break points herself. “I’m trying to really focus on enjoying the game more,” Andreeva said post-match, crediting her relaxed mindset for the “easy” win. The Chinese crowd, dubbing her “Spicy Little Mirra,” erupted in cheers, highlighting her growing global appeal.
Andreeva’s Stellar 2025 Season
Born April 3, 2007, Andreeva turned pro in 2022 and exploded onto the scene with a French Open semifinal at 17 in 2024. But 2025 has been her coronation:
– **Titles**: Back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns in Dubai (def. Clara Tauson in final) and Indian Wells (def. Aryna Sabalenka), becoming the youngest back-to-back 1000 winner since the format’s inception.
– **Grand Slams**: Quarterfinals at French Open and Wimbledon; third round at US Open (upset by Taylor Townsend).
– **Doubles Success**: WTA 1000 win in Miami with Diana Shnaider; Brisbane title earlier.
– **Overall Stats**: 24-4 record entering China Open (now 25-4); vaulted into top 10 in February, peaking at No. 4 in July.
| Tournament | Best Result | Key Highlight |
|————|————-|—————|
| Dubai (WTA 1000) | Champion | First 1000 title; youngest finalist since 2009 |
| Indian Wells (WTA 1000) | Champion | Beat Sabalenka in final; 12 straight wins |
| Australian Open | 4R | Nearly upset No. 1 Sabalenka |
| French Open | QF | Solid clay form |
| Wimbledon | QF | Grass-court prowess |
| US Open | 3R | Emotional exit but strong showing |
| China Open (ongoing) | 3R (so far) | Equals Venus’ 25-win teenage record |
Looking Ahead
With the WTA Finals in sight, Andreeva’s next test is Gauff (head-to-head: Gauff leads 2-1), whom she last beat as a 16-year-old in 2023. A deep run in Beijing could push her win tally toward 30 for the season, further solidifying her as the tour’s brightest young star. Under coach Jean-René Lisnard, she’s emphasized joy over pressure: “A little bit wiser now,” she reflected recently. At 18, Andreeva isn’t just matching records—she’s redefining teenage excellence in women’s tennis.
