Mirra’s Melbourne Magic: 18-Year-Old Andreeva Matches Venus Williams Record in Australian Open Charge
MELBOURNE, Australia — The “Teen Queen” of tennis has done it again. On a night where the humid Melbourne air hung heavy over Rod Laver Arena, Mirra Andreeva cemented her status as a generational talent, defeating Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-4 to reach her third consecutive Australian Open fourth round.
The victory is more than just a ticket to the second week; it is a historic synchronization with greatness. By reaching the round of 16 in each of her first three main draw appearances at Melbourne Park, the 18-year-old Andreeva has matched a feat not seen in the women’s game since Venus Williams accomplished it between 1998 and 2001.
The Match: Composure Amidst the Chaos
Andreeva, currently ranked World No. 7, entered the match as a heavy favorite but was pushed to her limits by the stubborn world No. 79. The first set was a display of tactical brilliance from Andreeva, who fended off four break points in her opening service games before breaking Ruse to love for a 4-2 lead. She eventually closed out the set 6-3 with a clinical hold to love.
The second set, however, descended into what commentators described as “surreal territory.” In a wild display of nerves and baseline aggression, the pair traded five consecutive breaks of serve.
- The Turning Point: A grueling nine-minute fifth game saw Andreeva finally secure a break that she would not relinquish.
- The Closer: Serving for the match at 5-4, Andreeva faced a late surge from Ruse. On match point, the Romanian charged the net but dumped a routine volley into the mesh, handing Andreeva her 7th straight win of the 2026 season.
“In the end, I got a little bit tight, I started to play passive,” Andreeva admitted in her on-court interview. “But I’m super proud of myself. I’m learning how to appreciate myself more and give myself more credit. To hear that statistic about Venus… it’s very nice to hear.”
Chasing Legends: The Venus Williams Connection
Matching Venus Williams is no small feat. When Venus burst onto the scene in the late 90s, her athleticism and power redefined the sport. Andreeva represents a different archetype—a “tactical wizard” with a defensive range that frustrates even the heaviest hitters on tour.
Teenage Phenoms: Australian Open 4th Round Streak (First 3 Appearances) | Player | Years | Result of 3rd Appearance | | :— | :— | :— | | Venus Williams | 1998, 1999, 2001 | Quarterfinals | | Mirra Andreeva | 2024, 2025, 2026 | Ongoing |
Andreeva’s coach, 1998 Australian Open finalist Conchita Martinez, was seen nodding approvingly from the player’s box. Under Martinez’s guidance, Andreeva has evolved from a defensive counter-puncher into an elite all-court player who has already claimed the WTA 1000 Indian Wells title in 2025.
The Road Ahead: Svitolina and the “New Wave”
For a spot in the quarterfinals—a stage she reached twice in majors last year—Andreeva will face the experienced Elina Svitolina. The 12th seed advanced earlier in the day with a straight-sets win over Diana Shnaider.
Andreeva’s victory also highlights a broader trend in Melbourne this year: the rise of the teenagers. With Victoria Mboko (19) and Iva Jovic (18) also advancing to the second week, the 2026 Australian Open features the most teenagers in the fourth round of a Grand Slam since the 2009 US Open.
