French Open: Mirra Andreeva downs Kasatkina to reach quarters

French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 2, 2025 Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in action during her fourth round match against Australia’s Daria Kasatkina REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

PARIS – Mirra Andreeva became the youngest player to reach back-to-back French Open quarterfinals in nearly three decades after the gifted Russian teenager overcame Australian 17th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-3 7-5 on Monday.

The powerful 18-year-old has scythed through the women’s field at Roland Garros without dropping a set and her fourth-round victory on a sunbathed Court Suzanne Lenglen helped her match the feat of Swiss Martina Hingis between 1997 and 1998.

READ: Mirra Andreeva upsets Elena Rybakina to reach Dubai final

“Honestly, I’m so happy I won. I hate playing against her, we practise a lot and even that is a torture,” Andreeva said with a smile in her on-court interview.

“It was a hell of a match. I’m super happy I stayed calm in the second set when she raised her level … I had to fight and continue playing my game.

“I knew if I believed in myself I would win a third set.”

Andreeva came up with a tight hold to thwart her frequent practice partner in the seventh game and grabbed the break in the next game when Kasatkina sent a backhand long.

READ: Mirra Andreeva stages big fightback at Australian Open

Russian-born Kasatkina, who switched nationalities this year, beat Andreeva in three sets when they met in last year’s Ningbo final and the 28-year-old showcased her fighting spirit in the next set to recover a break and lead 5-3.

“My coach (Conchita Martinez) says you’ve got to practise with the people you don’t like. That’s why I practise with her because I hate her,” Andreeva joked.

“I knew this match would be tough.”

Sixth seed Andreeva broke back and defended valiantly to level at 5-5, before edging ahead again to close out the victory and book a meeting with either French wildcard Lois Boisson or American third seed Jessica Pegula.