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Mirra Andreeva reveals plan to ‘down’ Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals match of the Mutua Madrid Open

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2 years ago

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One of the most exciting matches of the Mutua Madrid Open will take place on Wednesday, when Aryna Sabalenka takes on Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka is a two-time champion in Madrid, and she is already a two-time Grand Slam champion at the age of 25. But Sabalenka’s opponent in this match is ready to break through very soon, and I think this match has the potential to serve as Andreeva’s arrival.

Andreeva already has two Top 10 wins in her career, but those came against Marketa Vondrousova and Ons Jabeur. Both are excellent players, but Andreeva hasn’t yet defeated the sport’s very best. However, there’s no reason she can’t start doing it soon—and that’s especially true on clay. Andreeva’s biggest weakness right now is her serve, as she’s holding at only 67.2% in 2024. But the reality is that it’s hard for anybody to hold when it comes to the dirt. What’s really important on this surface is that you can do damage as a returner and win longer rallies. Andreeva is already one of the top players in the world when it comes to both.

This season, Andreeva has a 46.7% break percentage. She’s consistently putting pressure on her opponents, and I think that will get to Sabalenka. When Sabalenka is hitting her spots, her serve is incredibly hard to get back. But the Belarusian is still shakier than you’d think with the ball on her racquet, so she should give Andreeva opportunities to break. And once those start piling up, Sabalenka will only get tighter. With that in mind, this should be a match in which both players are on top of one another’s serve, making baseline play crucial.

Last year’s encounter between Andreeva and Sabalenka saw the latter emerge victorious with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 triumph. However, Andreeva’s meteoric rise since then has transformed her into a formidable opponent, equipped with a game plan designed to unsettle Sabalenka’s rhythm and exploit potential weaknesses.

Sabalenka’s formidable power has been a defining characteristic of her game, often overwhelming opponents with sheer force. Yet, Andreeva’s evolution as a player has equipped her with the tools to counteract Sabalenka’s strengths. Drawing parallels to tennis prodigy Coco Gauff, Andreeva possesses world-class defensive skills and wields a lethal backhand capable of changing the course of a match.

What sets Andreeva apart in this matchup is her strategic refinement, particularly in her forehand game. While she may not match Sabalenka’s raw power, Andreeva’s emphasis on redirecting pace and exploiting openings presents a formidable challenge to her opponent. The Russian’s relentless work ethic and dedication to honing her skills have positioned her as a formidable force on the court.

As the quarterfinal showdown looms, tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the strategic battle that will unfold between Andreeva and Sabalenka. With Andreeva’s tactical blueprint unveiled and Sabalenka’s power game poised for action, the Mutua Madrid Open promises a thrilling spectacle of athleticism and strategy that will captivate audiences worldwide.

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