Roland-Garros : Andreeva blows past Kostyuk to seal a maiden Grand Slam final
On Thursday, Mirra Andreeva took another huge step forward, sweeping aside the Ukrainian 6-1, 6-3 to book the first Grand Slam final of her young career.
At 19, Andreeva is still climbing fast. She had already reached the semis in Paris before, but this time she was up against a player riding a wave of form, unbeaten on clay since the start of the season. On court, though, the gap showed early.
A one-sided semi-final
The match never really found any kind of balance. From the opening exchanges, Andreeva set the pace, mixing her shots and taking the initiative in the rallies. Her backhand did plenty of damage, but it was her ability to change tempo that strangled her opponent. Kostyuk spent much of the afternoon chasing the scoreboard. Too often second to the ball, too inconsistent with her attacking shots, she never managed to build the momentum that had carried her through the last few months.
The first set was over in a flash. The second offered a bit more resistance, with the Ukrainian earning an early break in the set. A brief opening, nothing more. Andreeva quickly wrested control back and shut the door for good. Kostyuk’s final error ended a contest that lasted just over an hour and a half, far less than many had expected before the start.
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A new level altogether
The tears came after match point. Not tears of relief, but the tears of a player who knows how far she’s come. Since breaking through on tour, Andreeva has been talked up as one of the biggest talents of her generation. Now she is into a Grand Slam final at Roland-Garros. What stands out is not just the level of her tennis. It’s the way she owns the court. At 19, Andreeva already looks like she knows exactly what she wants to do in every point. Few errors, plenty of clarity and a reading of the game that often has her a step ahead.
In a tournament blown wide open by the exits of the top favourites, Andreeva now sits right at the heart of it all. On Saturday, she will play the biggest final of her career against Diana Shnaider or Maja Chwalinska. Another milestone for a player who is no longer just a bright prospect in world tennis, but a serious contender for the biggest prizes.
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