Tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva made a triumphant return to the court this week, swiftly advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Rouen Open. After a hiatus from play, the Russian had struggled to secure victories since January, a deviation from her initial expectations, particularly following her strong performances in the Middle East exhibitions preceding the season.

Nonetheless, returning to clay courts bodes well for Andreeva, given her previous successes on this surface, which is widely regarded as her forte. In her recent match, she displayed her formidable skills against Nadia Podoroska, a former Roland Garros semifinalist, convincingly winning in straight sets.

Despite Podoroska’s familiarity with clay, Andreeva’s dominance was evident. A similar scenario unfolded in her subsequent match against fellow countrywoman Elina Avanesyan, known for her adeptness on clay and powerful hitting. Although it took Andreeva considerable effort, she eventually emerged victorious in a hard-fought contest.