Mirra Andreeva Advances to Beijing Round of 16 After Defeating Polina Kudermetova
At the China Open in Beijing, 19-year-old Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva advanced to the Round of 16 following a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Polina Kudermetova, wtatennis.com reported. While Andreeva secured her spot in the next round with straight sets, she has recently balanced her tennis schedule with a renewed interest in competitive chess. The tournament run marks another milestone for the fourth-seeded player on the WTA Tour driven by Mercedes-Benz.
Chess Strategy Parallels Tour Competition
Andreeva revived her childhood chess hobby during her title run at Roland Garros in May and June after watching her fitness coach play online matches before her tennis matches. She uses Duolingo to study tactical strategies and plays matches against strangers on a separate mobile application under a tightly guarded secret username. Other players on the tour also engage with the board game, as Yulia Putintseva employs aggressive tactics in the online version while Ekaterina Alexandrova learned the game from her father. Alexandrova noted the strategic difficulty of thinking several moves ahead on the board compared to surviving immediate situations on the court.
Ekaterina Alexandrova Breaks Seven-Year Beijing Drought
Ekaterina Alexandrova secured her fourth-round spot at the China Open following a three-set comeback win over Diana Shnaider. The victory marks her first time reaching this stage in Beijing since 2024, 2025, and 2023 ended in opening-round exits, matching her previous Round of 16 appearance from seven years prior. Alexandrova attributed her turnaround on the court to the Yonex Tour Platinum balls, stating that the equipment suits her game much better than previous years. She also praised the increased uniformity of balls across consecutive tournaments for making surface adaptations easier.
Upcoming Round of 16 Matchups in Beijing
Tournament action continues on Tuesday as Mirra Andreeva faces Daria Snigur for a place in the quarterfinals. In the other half of the draw, Ekaterina Alexandrova takes on Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Both players enter the fourth round looking to maintain their momentum through the hard-court swing in the Chinese capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mirra Andreeva win her first Grand Slam title?
Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in May and June.
Who will Mirra Andreeva play next in Beijing?
Andreeva faces Daria Snigur in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
How long had it been since Ekaterina Alexandrova last won a match in Beijing?
Prior to the current tournament, Alexandrova’s last match win in Beijing occurred seven years ago when she reached the Round of 16.
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