MATCH REPORT | 2024 Australian Open: 16-year-old prodigy Mirra ANDREEVA joins trio of top teens in second round on debut

16-year-old prodigy, Mirra Andreeva continues to make new milestones and has now won at least a match in all Grand Slams after adding the Australian Open to her list.

Andreeva who saw off Bernarda Pera, a tough test on paper 7-5, 6-2 has form in Australia though having lost in the Girls' Final during 2023 to Alina Korneeva who also joins her in the second round. It is a teen phenom week with Brenda Fruhvirtova also next for Aryna Sabalenka who is also 16 so a trio of top teens are through.

Andreeva prevailed in just over an hour against the American with a big match awaiting her next which will likely go onto a show court when she takes on Ons Jabeur. The Russian who won WTA Newcomer of the Year will likely take it in her stride though after an incredible 2023.

To start the tie, they both exchanged breaks of serve as neither player settled. But it was Pera who took the lead and the early impetus going 4-2 up on Andreeva with another break. But the latter hit straight back albeit after three chances, but it was a fairly dominant return as she made it 4-3. It was another break that decided the set as Andreeva bided her time and went 6-5 up. She then took the set on her serve 7-5.

The second was less of an issue with Andreeva with the Russian easing through sealing breaks at 1-0 and 3-0 respectively and she went 4-0 from there on her serve. It wasn't to be a bagel as Pera dug in but Andreeva took the win with her first match point with a statement display from another superb talent.