“I used to have a little crush on him”: Mirra Andreeva opens up after dream run with Rublev
WTAWednesday, 26 August 2026 at 08:30
Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev have reached the US Open mixed doubles semifinals after surviving another dramatic deciding tiebreak, but their latest victory came with an unexpected personal twist. The teenage star was asked about playing alongside her “dream” mixed doubles partner after the pair defeated the two-time defending champions earlier in the day.
Andreeva and Rublev then followed that victory over Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori with another comeback against the American-Norwegian pairing of Shandier and Casper Ruud. After dropping the opening set, they recovered to win 4-1, 4-5, 10-5 and book their place in the last four.
The victory was particularly impressive because Andreeva and Rublev had to save a match point before completing the comeback. The Russian teenager admitted that she was feeling the pressure in the decisive moments, but Rublev took control when it mattered most to help them close out another tight match.
The result sends the pair into a semifinal against the Czech combination of Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik. Yet the result itself was only part of the story after the match, with Andreeva offering a surprisingly candid explanation of why sharing the court with Rublev has been such a special experience.
Andreeva reveals her Rublev crush
Asked what it had been like to finally play with the partner she had previously described as her dream choice, Andreeva admitted that her admiration for Rublev had once been more than simply professional.
“I’ve never said anything, but I’ve never told him anything as well, but I used to have a little crush on him as well. So, yeah, you know, it’s like a dream come true to play with my favorite,” Andreeva said.
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The 18-year-old has clearly embraced the partnership, particularly after the pair survived two deciding-tiebreak battles on the same day. She also credited Rublev for taking responsibility at the most important stage of their quarterfinal, when she admitted that the pressure had begun to get to her.
“I just had so much fun playing with Andre. I think we played great today. I’m so happy that he took the initiative in the end of the tiebreak because I was super stressed and, you know, he hit so many great shots,” Andreeva said.
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Rublev was equally complimentary when asked about Andreeva's performance. Despite his experience as a mixed doubles gold medalist, the Russian has often joked about not really knowing what he is doing on a doubles court. On this occasion, however, he felt his partner had made his role considerably easier.
“No, I mean, first of all, I’m very lucky to have Mirra because today she played unbelievable. She won all the most important points, she was amazing at the net, they were hitting her and she was defending all the ball, bringing back, playing amazing winners,” Rublev said.
"i just have a little crash on him as well" MIRRA 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/e6OpCCBSsz
— I (@atpobsessed) August 25, 2026
Rublev happy to be part of the run
Rublev joked that having a partner of Andreeva's quality reduced his job to simply trying not to get in the way. Even that, he admitted, did not always go according to plan, but the Russian was delighted to continue their unexpected run in New York.
“So obviously, when you have a partner like this, it’s the easiest job you can do, at least don’t miss, you know, and I was able to miss anyway. But yeah, no, we played really great and I’m happy to be part of this,” Rublev said.
Andreeva, meanwhile, was already looking beyond the result and toward the memories they are creating together. Their partnership has now survived the defending champions and another deciding-tiebreak thriller, leaving them two wins away from the US Open mixed doubles title.
“I’m super happy that we’re able to play together, to get the win together and create so many great memories. So, yeah, I’m super happy to play by his side,” Andreeva said.
The next challenge will come against Muchova and Mensik, giving Andreeva and Rublev another chance to extend their run. For Andreeva, though, the significance of the partnership is already clear: the player she once had a “little crush” on has become her teammate on one of the biggest stages in tennis.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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