Composed Andreeva nears first major title at French Open

Mirra Andreeva stands on the brink of her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, a dream she has long pursued. The Russian teenager's remarkable run in Paris has been fueled by a newfound sense of composure and maturity that belies her 19 years.

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I never actually thought that I'd be able to win, I don't know, big tournaments, or be in a Grand Slam final. It was just all my dreams, everything that I have been dreaming of.

Andreeva demonstrated this enhanced mental fortitude in a politically charged semi-final clash against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. She secured a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory, advancing to face qualifier Maja Chwalinska for the championship. This performance marks a significant step in her career, showcasing her ability to navigate high-pressure situations.

"I never actually thought that I'd be able to win, I don't know, big tournaments, or be in a Grand Slam final," Andreeva admitted. "It was just all my dreams, everything that I have been dreaming of." She emphasized that winning a Grand Slam is her "number one goal in my life" and expressed surprise at being so close to achieving it.

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I would say that this is, I don't know how other players think about it, but for me personally it's like the number one goal in my life. The most important thing. I wouldn't think I would be very close to that.

Under the guidance of coach Conchita Martinez, Andreeva has adopted clear game plans and translated her talent into tangible results. This contrasts with her previous Grand Slam quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros a year ago, where she experienced an emotional meltdown. This year, Andreeva has presented a much calmer and more focused demeanor on court. "I've been trying to work on being more calm, more positive. I'm very focused, and recently, I've been trying to do a lot of different stuff," she explained. She feels she has found a successful approach and is committed to maintaining it.

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But now I am, so I'm very excited, very happy about it. But at that time, I wouldn't think that it would happen.

This clarity has sharpened her focus during matches. Andreeva expressed surprise at her ability to read the ball so well against Kostyuk, who had been undefeated on clay this season prior to their encounter. "I was so focused I could see the hairs on the ball," she said, highlighting her exceptional concentration throughout the match. She is delighted that her hard work is yielding positive results.

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I've been trying to work on being more calm, more positive. I'm very focused, and recently, I've been trying to do a lot of different stuff.