World No. 57 Mirra Andreeva defeated Daria Schnaider (93rd) with a score of 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the 2024 WTA 500 Brisbane International. The 16-year-old Russian player returned to competition at a high level and advanced to the second round, where she will face her compatriot, the 4th seed Ludmila Samsonova (16th).
Andreeva dominated from the service line, denying Schnaider any break opportunities and starting 2024 with a convincing triumph at first round
Andreeva d. Diana Shnaider 6-2 6-3 in Brisbane Mirra wins her first match of the new season. In case you forgot, Mirra became the youngest player to reach the 4th round of Wimbledon since Coco Gauff. 16 years old & thriving. Expect big things in 2024.
In the first set, it was the Russian who secured the first break in just the third game to quickly take control of the match. Andreeva held onto the advantage with a strong serve and secured a second break in the seventh game before winning the set 6-2.
Andreeva won 73% of points with her first serve and 67% with the second, well above Schnaider's 53% and 50%, respectively. The Russian also applied pressure from the return, converting two of the six break points she had while not giving Schnaider any break chances.
The second set was more closely contested. During the first six games, both players defended their serves without facing break points until 3-3. A poor service game from Schnaider gave Andreeva the first break opportunities, which she capitalized on to take a 4-3 lead.
In the final stages of the match, Schnaider succumbed to nerves and made some unforced errors, ultimately handing the victory to Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-3 with a break in the last game. In the second round, Andreeva will face her compatriot Ludmila Samsonova, who received a bye in the first round due to her position as the 4th seed.
