Mirra Andreeva is the first player since Venus Williams to reach the Australian Open round-of-16 stage in all of her first three singles appearances at Melbourne Park.
Two years ago, a 16-year-old Andreeva won three matches in her Melbourne debut – including a win over three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur – before exiting the Happy Slam in the last-16 following a loss to Barbora Krejcikova.
Last year, the Russian enjoyed another solid outing at Melbourne Park, making it past her opening three matches before losing to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
This year, the teenager has once again been through to the Australian Open second week after beating Donna Vekic 4-6 6-3 6-0, Maria Sakkari 6-0 6-4, and Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 6-4.
By having three Melbourne round-of-16 outings on her resume in as many appearances, the 18-year-old Russian became the first player since Williams to achieve the feat – the American pulled it off in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
1 – Mirra Andreeva is the first player to make the Round of 16 in all her first three main draw appearances in Women's Singles at the Australian Open since Venus Williams (1998, 1999, 2001). Top. #AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @WTA
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 23, 2026
Andreeva set for a tough Australian Open round-of-16 matchup
Against Ruse, the eighth-seeded Russian entered as the clear favorite and she didn't fail to handle the business routinely.
"I knew she likes to play aggressive. She's a big hitter, so our plan was basically try to neutralize her groundstrokes," the two-time WTA 1000 champion said after beating Ruse.
Now, it gets a lot tougher for Andreeva, who is about to face next No. 12 seed Elina Svitolina.
Heading into the match, the Russian – who won Adelaide the week before the Happy Slam – has won her last seven matches. On the other side, Auckland champion Svitolina stands at a perfect 8-0 in 2026.
Last year, Andreeva defeated Svitolina in their lone meeting in Indian Wells 7-5 6-3.
