MATCH REPORT | 2024 China Open: Mirra Andreeva continues superb return to form with Quarter-Final place sealed

Mirra Andreeva has been one of the most in-form players on the WTA Tour over the last 18 months but has struggled at times this summer. But has roared back into life at the China Open.

Andreeva booked her spot in the Quarter-Finals earlier this morning in Beijing by besting Magda Linette 6-1, 6-3. A first time title winner earlier this summer as well as an Olympic silver medalist, she also reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros.

But amongst that has been disappointment in particular in the US hard court swing which has been the only real negative of her summer. But having a similar sort of gamestyle as Sabalenka for instance pays dividends in China for a player like Andreeva.

While other players struggle, it is a surface that provides for players with aggressive powerful game styles and Andreeva proved that again today with a superb victory over the Pole who alongside Magdalena Frech has flown the flag this week with the absence of Iga Swiatek.

It is a 29th win of the season for Andreeva making her one of the most successful on tour and also a seventh career Quarter-Final at the age of just 17. Maria Sharapova also reached this point on exactly the same day as Andreeva in terms of age back in 2004 bringing up incredible parallels.

She also achieves the goal she set for the year end which was that she wanted to be in the top 20. She also said on Daria Kasatkina's vlog that she would get a dog if she finished in that spot and so she will have to start deciding which breed and name.

In the tie, it was sheer dominance for Andreeva. She produced 58% of points won on serve, 13 winners to only 14 unforced errors compared to 27 from Linette. She also sealed 7/11 on break points in winning through. Awaiting her is the winner of Anisimova and Qinwen Zheng with that tie to come in the night session after Alcaraz v Sinner.