New York (AFP) – Fifth-seeded French Open champion Mirra Andreeva of Russia shook off a slow start to beat Anastasia Potapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Monday and punch her ticket to the US Open quarter-finals. Andreeva, who had won her three previous matches in straight sets, dropped the first set after committing more than twice as many unforced errors as Potapova, who was also born in Russia but now plays for Austria.
But the 19-year-old Grand Slam champion steadied herself, notching fewer errors in the final two sets against Potapova, who had upset 2025 US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova in the prior round. In a dramatic final game, Potapova lost her footing leaning for a shot, falling to the ground and writhing in pain.
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Andreeva, who later called Potapova “a pretty good friend,” rushed over and helped assist Potapova to the side of the court where she received treatment on her left knee during a medical timeout. She returned to the court to finish the game, the two women embracing after Andreeva floated a backhand winner down the line to close the match.
“It’s not the way obviously you want to finish the match and you want to see one of your good friends finish the match,” Andreeva said afterwards. “I’m sure she’s going to come back stronger.”
© 2024 AFP
