"She’s very pretty as well”: Mirra Andreeva hilariously lists differences with Anastasia Potapova ahead of US Open clash

Sunday, 06 September 2026 at 06:30

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Mirra Andreeva has reached the US Open fourth round for the first time in her career and will now face familiar opponent Anastasia Potapova. Asked to explain the differences between their games, the fifth seed gave a serious assessment of her next rival before unexpectedly adding one more quality to the list.

Andreeva has not dropped a set in New York, defeating Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2, Eva Lys 6-0, 6-2 and Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 7-6. She has therefore reached the second week at the only Grand Slam where she had previously failed to do so.

The 19-year-old was not necessarily viewed as one of the main title favourites before the tournament, with much of the attention on players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. Her performances have changed that perception, however, as Andreeva continues to build momentum in New York.

Potapova will now provide a considerably tougher test. Andreeva leads their head-to-head 3-1, including a victory in the second round of last year's US Open, while she also defeated the Austrian in this year's Linz final after another three-set battle.

“She’s very pretty as well”

When asked about the biggest differences between their games, Andreeva initially focused on Potapova's strengths from the baseline.

“I think that she's a hitter, like she likes to hit the ball from the baseline. Also, she's very consistent while she's doing that. I don't know. She's very pretty as well. Let's add that in there. I mean, you cannot take away that.”

Mirra Andreeva of Russia reacts during the match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2026 tennis tournament

The unexpected addition provided one of the funniest moments of Andreeva's press conference, but the teenager also made clear that Potapova's tennis presents a serious challenge.

“I think that, I mean, so far, the way she's been playing, she's, I don't know, she's been very consistent with what she's doing on the court. And I think that's also going to be pretty, pretty hard to face.”

Potapova has plenty of confidence of her own after reaching the fourth round for the first time in New York by defeating last year's finalist Amanda Anisimova. Andreeva is therefore expecting another competitive encounter between two players who have already faced each other four times.

“She's been having a hell of a season so far, you know, beating so many great players. And I'm sure that the match is not going to be easy. I mean, Conchita, of course, we will do everything we can to prepare our best and cannot wait for that match.”

Their previous meetings suggest that the head-to-head advantage alone will not make Andreeva's task straightforward. Potapova pushed her hard in Linz earlier this year, and another battle is likely with a place in the US Open quarterfinals at stake.

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“Conchita will kill me”

Andreeva's comments about Potapova's baseline game also led into a discussion about her own approach. Working with Conchita Martinez, she has tried to become more disciplined and consistent while taking control of points, but she believes improvisation remains an important part of her tennis.

“I've been trying to be disciplined. I've been trying to be consistent, to do whatever Conchita tells me to do, to be aggressive, to be the one dictating the point. But at the same time, I think I wouldn't be playing as good if I wouldn't add a little bit of improvisation of what I like to do on the court.”

Mirra Andreeva and her coach Conchita Martinez smile with the 2026 French Open trophy.

Andreeva explained that she usually has the game plan in mind, but does not want to become so committed to it that she stops reacting naturally to what is happening during a point.

“I feel like most of the points, I kind of do whatever I want. And, you know, if I want to do this, I do that. And then it just all kind of happens in one moment and all depending on the situation is, you know, I kind of decide what to do.”

That freedom has so far worked in her favour in New York. Andreeva said the fact that her instincts have consistently produced the right decisions gives her another reason to trust that part of her game.

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“So far, whatever I've been feeling, whatever I've been wanting to do, I did and it worked pretty good. So I guess that that could be a good sign that I have maybe not bad instincts so far," the Russian added. "I kind of do whatever I want. So I don't know, Conchita will kill me, but I still kind of do whatever I want on the court, even having the game plan in mind.”

Andreeva finally breaks through in New York

The upcoming meeting with Potapova comes as Andreeva reaches a stage of the US Open she had never previously experienced. Her three victories have all been convincing, and she has managed to combine the discipline she has worked on with Martinez with the freedom she believes makes her tennis effective.

The teenager has also learned to deal differently with the expectations that come with her rapid rise. At 19, she already has a Grand Slam title and is now increasingly being discussed as a potential contender at every major tournament.

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“Maybe before I think it would give me some pressure because I would want to do even better and I would want to prove everybody and myself that, you know, that I kind of deserve what I have.

But now at this point, I don't feel freedom. I don't feel pressure. I just feel like I'm doing whatever I'm doing and that's it. And I'm trying to think less and trying not to overthink.”

That mindset has helped Andreeva produce her best US Open campaign yet. She now has the chance to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, but standing in her way is a player who has already shown that she can make the fifth seed work for every victory.

Read also

Andreeva has the 3-1 head-to-head advantage and won their most recent meeting in Linz, but Potapova arrives with her own momentum after eliminating Anisimova.

The teenager will therefore need both parts of her game — Martinez's game plan and the improvisation she jokingly admits she cannot always resist — when the two meet again in New York.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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