Blister drama and tension: Amanda Anisimova breaks Mirra Andreeva’s winning streak in Miami

Amanda Anisimova survives a thrilling match against Mirra Andreeva at the Miami Open, winning 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3, ending the teenager's winning streak. In a duel between this season's WTA 1000 champions, the American stunned the Russian, who had been on a 13-match winning streak.

It was one of the standout matches of the day, in a rollercoaster that featured controversy in the third set, with both players experiencing discomfort during a controversial moment when Anisimova called for a medical time-out in the third set. Nonetheless, the World No. 17 advanced to the fourth round.

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Anisimova Holds Nerve in First Set

Andreeva quickly called for a medical time-out when she was down 1-2, while both players were defending their serves. She managed to recover with a good service game and leveled the score at 2-2.

Anisimova had her first moment of doubt, conceding her serve without a fight. However, she quickly broke back and tied the score, capitalizing on Andreeva's struggles with her first serve (only 48% throughout the set).

At 4-4, Andreeva managed a break and had the chance to serve for the set. However, Anisimova – just like at the start of the set – broke back to maintain parity. Andreeva came through a set point down after an unforced error from Anisimova and pushed the set to a tie-break, but it was Anisimova who held her nerve in the crucial moments, winning the set 7-6(5).

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Andreeva bounces back strong

The 17-year-old Russian didn't lower her level in the second set and didn't let the deficit affect her. She reached 2-1 but had to call for treatment again, apparently due to abdominal issues, for the second time. However, it didn't seem to affect her play, and after 2-2, she took control.

Capitalizing on Anisimova's errors, Andreeva won two consecutive breaks and closed the set in 38 minutes, winning 6-2, taking advantage of Anisimova's struggles with her second serve, which was only 38% effective.

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Controversial blister time-out doesn’t stop Anisimova

The tension in the third set was palpable, with both players creating break opportunities while returning. The first break came in the third game, where Anisimova capitalized on her third opportunity of the set and took the lead. In the following games, both had break points and played multiple deuces.

Just as Andreeva was serving at 1-3, she committed a double fault that brought the game back to deuce. It was at this point that Anisimova stopped the match and requested a medical time-out for a blister on her hand.

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Although this is against the rules, the physio attended to Anisimova at that moment, much to the apparent displeasure of Andreeva and her coach, Conchita Martinez, who disagreed with the umpire's decision. Nonetheless, after a brief pause, the match resumed, and Andreeva held her serve.

Throughout the set, Andreeva had four break points, but failed to convert any. When she was serving at 3-5, the pressure in the crucial moments led to a second break in Anisimova's favor.

The American secured the win 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 and advanced to the fourth round of the Miami Open, where she will face Emma Raducanu (world No. 60), who comes in inspired by one of her best performances in recent times and took advantage of McCartney Kessler's retirement for just her second appearance at this stage of a WTA 1000 event.

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