Andreeva becomes first woman into Australian Open second round

Andreeva struck 27 winners over the one-hour, 36-minute match

Mirra Andreeva © Imago/Panoramic

January 12, 2025

Russia’s Mirra Andreeva became the first woman into the second round of the 2025 Australian Open on Sunday, defeating Czech Maria Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 in Melbourne.

The No 14 seed had to work hard for her victory, with Bouzkova doing well to extend rallies and test Andreeva’s shot tolerance.

However, Andreeva rose to the challenge, striking 27 winners and dominating on return across the one-hour, 36-minute match.

Andreeva feeling at home on WTA Tour

Afterwards, the 17-year-old said she now feels as though she belongs at the WTA level, and is no longer trying to prove herself every time she steps on the court.

“I would say that now I don’t feel like I’m a new player on the Tour,” she said. “I kind of feel like, well, I’m here now.

“Even before, when I was playing Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2024, I was still kind of trying to prove people that, you know, I belong here, I’m going to play with you, and this is my place.

“Now I feel like everyone already knows that. I also feel like, well, I’m a WTA player, so I’m here, I’m doing my job, and I like what I’m doing. I feel like yes, now I do belong here at the end.”

Next up, Andreeva faces the winner of Moyuka Uchijima and Magda Linette.