Mirra Andreeva Tipped for Grand Slam Success Amid Aryna Sabalenka-Elena Rybakina Dominance

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina lost in the quarterfinals and the fourth round of the Madrid Open, respectively.

Mirra Andreeva Tipped for Grand Slam Success Amid Aryna Sabalenka-Elena Rybakina Dominance

Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via Lob and Smash, ubitennis)

In Short
  • Mirra Andreeva reached the Madrid Open semifinals after defeating Leylah Fernandez.
  • Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, both dominant players, were eliminated from the tournament.
  • Ana Ivanovic highlighted Andreeva as a potential future Grand Slam champion amidst a competitive field.

Mirra Andreeva is competing for her third title of the season at the Madrid Open. The Russian ace knocked out Leylah Fernandez in straight sets to reach the Madrid Open semifinals for the first time in her career.

Up against her next will be Hailey Baptiste, who, in her maiden quarterfinal in the tournament, defeated none other than defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. At the moment, the two players who are dominating on the tour are Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka has already played four finals, winning three titles, including the Sunshine Double. Rybakina beat the Belarusian to win her career’s second Grand Slam title, but later, Sabalenka took her revenge by downing her in the Indian Wells final. Before arriving in the Spanish capital, the Kazakh ace clinched her second Stuttgart Open title by defeating Karolina Muchova.

In the ongoing event, Rybakina too suffered defeat, as Anastasia Potapova registered a straight-set win over her in the fourth round. After Rybakina and Sabalenka’s exits, former WTA player Ana Ivanovic, during her interview with Eurosport Spain, was asked which player she thinks could win a Grand Slam title in the future.

I think there’s a lot more depth at the level now, a lot more players who can compete for Grand Slams. You know, someone like Andreeva and, of course, Coco (Gauff), who’s already won one. There are so many good players, and Americans too, which is nice to see, especially after Serena and Venus.

Ana Ivanovic told Eurosport Spain

Andreeva has so far featured in just one Major semifinal, in last year’s French Open. She lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open this year.

Sabalenka is definitely very dominant, and Rybakina has been playing well again this year. So it’s nice to see their rivalry as well. And, you know, there are so many tournaments. So, for some of them, this was their first tournament on clay. Therefore, it takes a little time to adjust to the new surface and play week after week.

Ana Ivanovic added

It was the first time this season Sabalenka lost before reaching the final. She will next be seen in action at the Italian Open.

Ana Ivanovic on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance

During that same interview with Eurosport Spain, Ana Ivanovic was asked about the Jannik Sinner–Carlos Alcaraz duopoly. The World No.1 and the World No.2 won the last nine Majors.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (4)
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

I think it’s fantastic that the interest they’ve generated in tennis and what they’ve already achieved at such a young age. I think they’ve taken tennis to a new level and a new depth. They have slightly different styles, but they’re still very powerful. It’s very inspiring to see, being such different personalities, which is great for tennis.

Alcaraz was forced to skip the Madrid Open because of an injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open. He will not be playing in Roland Garros, where he defeated Alexander Zverev and Sinner in the finals in the previous two seasons.

Sinner is chasing his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title in the Spanish capital. After knocking out Spanish sensation Rafael Jodar in the quarterfinals, Sinner, who will be playing in the semifinal of this tournament for the first time, scheduled his match against Arthur Fils.

If the four-time Grand Slam champion wins the Madrid title, he will become the first man to win the first four Masters 1000 of the season. His Sunshine Double triumph made him the eighth man to achieve this feat.

His win over Alcaraz in the Monte-Carlo Masters made him the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to win the first three Masters 1000s of the season. After Madrid, Sinner will play in Rome, where he lost to Alcaraz in last year’s final.

Also read: Mirra Andreeva Reveals High Heels Wish for Her 19th Birthday After Reaching Madrid Semifinals