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
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.
