French Open: Andreeva digs deep in opener, Azarenka creates double bagel history
Mirra Andreeva began her 2025 Roland Garros campaign with a composed comeback win over Spain's Cristina Bucsa, sealing a 6-4, 6-3 first-round victory that tested her early nerves and resilience.Playing her first Slam as a top-10 seed, the 18-year-old Russian got off to a shaky start, falling behind 0-3 after losing her first two service games. Bucsa, ranked outside the top 90, applied early pressure with smart net play and aggressive positioning. But Andreeva stayed calm, shifting momentum with a pinpoint return winner down the line that sparked a turnaround.advertisement'She played amazing. Especially in the beginning. I felt like I was playing not bad... but it was 0-3. So I was like, 'If I'm playing not bad, how is it 0-3?'" Andreeva said in her post-match on-court interview.#RolandGarros https://t.co/Q3z30LzbhF pic.twitter.com/sKi7utv0sm— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2025
Once she settled in, the sixth seed began dictating rallies with depth and precision. She reeled off 10 of the next 12 games to take control of the match, building a 4-1 lead in the second set. Bucsa pushed back, earning five break points and stretching multiple games to deuce, but Andreeva held firm. She saved every break point in the second set, finishing with a 73% first-serve win rate and 25 winners overall.A semifinalist in Paris last year, Andreeva has already lifted titles in Dubai and Indian Wells this season. Her mature handling of an early challenge reinforces her growing stature on the big stage. She will next face either Ashlyn Krueger or Suzan Lamens in round two.advertisementMeanwhile, two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka delivered a clinical performance, dismantling Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 6-0, 6-0 in just 45 minutes. The win made Azarenka, now 35, the oldest woman in the Open Era to score a double bagel in a Grand Slam main draw match—surpassing Venus Williams' record from Wimbledon 2015.The former World No. 1 showed glimpses of her peak form from the early 2010s, dominating every department. This was her fifth 6-0, 6-0 win at a major since 2000, placing her ahead of Serena Williams (four) and just behind Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters (six each).Ranked No. 75, Azarenka's emphatic performance not only highlighted her enduring competitiveness but also reaffirmed her presence as a serious contender. She will meet the winner of Varvara Gracheva vs Sofia Kenin in the second round.
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