Mirra Andreeva turns on the afterburners in high quality final set to see off dangerous Donna Vekic

Mirra Andreeva was in a very tense tussle with Donna Vekic before turning on the afterburners in the third set to win her opening match in the Australian Open 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

The 18-year-old is looking to get back to her best form after a very tricky end to the 2025 season. It started so brightly, but a barren spell of form meant that she just missed out on the WTA Finals in a heartbreaking turn of events.

Now, she has learned from it and is coming into the year stronger than ever with a fresh mentality. She utilised this well in the Adelaide International, winning the tournament as she comes to Melbourne with great momentum.

This was very much called upon in what was a very tough match against a well-respected player. The first two sets were a grind, but the third was a breeze. Andreeva marvelled on court, dropping just two points in the final four games as she waltzed away with what turned out to be a comfortable triumph.

While the set would not go her way, it was the Russian who had the upper hand in the early stages. She broke the serve and went 3-1 ahead. This break advantage was extinguished very quickly with Vekic clawing her way back into it, levelling the scores after Andreeva missed the chance to claim a third break on the spin in this set.

She would be brutally punished for this, with Vekic taking her opportunity later on in the set. She had no qualms in serving it out, leaving the former Olympic silver medallist in a very commanding position to see this match out.

However, she had a very talented opponent the other side of the net. This time Andreeva was not making any mistakes in a set where the server was under control for the most part. This was aside from one game where the two-time WTA 1000 champion clinically broke the Croats serve, enroute to a 5-2 lead. Vekic was unable to muster up a response, with the match heading to a third and decisive set.

Andreeva was ruthless. She upped the gears with Vekic just clinging on for dear life. After taking a 0-40 lead in the first game, she failed to take those three break points but came back fighting with her fourth opportunity not going missing. After going 2-0 ahead, she won eight consecutive points to double her advantage in the final set.

She continued this fine form into the final two games, losing just one point while swiping away the final eight points to complete an ominous set of tennis in favour of the talented teenager.

If she produces the ridiculous levels she showcased in that final set, then she would have to be one of the favourites to claim the title Down Under. This ultimate quest continues in the second round against another tough opponent in the form of Maria Sakkari.