Shock of the day: Mirra Andreeva falls in opening round of Berlin Ladies Open

World No. 7 Mirra Andreeva arrived at the grass-court swing with high expectations but got off to a rocky start, losing in the first round of the Berlin Ladies Open to Magdalena Frech. The teenage Russian couldn't secure a win in her 2024 grass-court debut, though she still has one more event to play before heading to Wimbledon.

Andreeva has experienced a remarkable rise in just two years. At only 18 years old, she’s already among the world’s best and is considered a contender for the upcoming Grand Slam — at least on paper. But her first grass-court appearance of the season ended in a defeat to Frech.

Back in 2023, Andreeva made headlines by qualifying for Wimbledon and reaching the fourth round in her very first professional grass tournament. However, in 2024, she’s yet to find her footing on the surface. After a first-round exit at both Bad Homburg and Wimbledon last year, she begins this year’s campaign with another early loss.

The match started well for Andreeva, who took the first set comfortably 6–2 against World No. 25 Frech. In the second set, despite trailing 1–4 and facing two breaks, the Russian fought back to 5–5. Just when a tiebreak seemed inevitable, Frech broke serve again and claimed the set 7–5.

From there, the momentum completely shifted. Andreeva won just 32% of her service points in the third set, handed over three consecutive breaks, and was shut out 6–0. Frech, meanwhile, held strong, winning 70% of her service points and not facing a single break. It was the first time in her career that Andreeva lost a final set 6–0.

Andreeva is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez, but this time, she couldn’t capitalise on her coach’s grass-court expertise. She’ll get another chance next week at the WTA 250 Bad Homburg Open, where she’s seeded third in a draw featuring Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, and Iga Swiatek.

Match Statistics Andreeva vs. Frech