Mirra Andreeva impresses in comfortable win over Bektas, returns to second round

The Russian’s powerful groundstrokes are accompanied with a tennis intelligence far beyond her years, as her shot choices exhibit both her understanding of the game and the levels of variety she has at her disposal.

Today was a returning masterclass from the teenager, who broke five times in total and converted half of her ten break point opportunities.

While there will be far tougher examinations ahead, Bektas is within the world’s top 100 at No 97 and has the experience of nearly fourteen more years on tour than Andreeva.

Despite now being up at 38th in the world, it is testament to just how quickly she has developed that Andreeva is simply expected to routinely win these early-round big-stage matches, and consistently delivers.

This season has been a lesson-serving one for the young Russian thus far, as the rigours of tour life and injuries that accompany it led to a difficult first few months of the year. But this spell came immediately after yet another remarkable Grand Slam run in Melbourne, where Andreeva reached the fourth round before falling to Krejcikova in three sets, and was book-ended by another superb showing in the Spanish capital.

On a drab and uninspiring day of wet weather and rain delays in Paris, Andreeva’s result and performance shone through as this remarkable young player continues to deliver at Grand Slam tournaments.

She will face either Victoria Azarenka or Nadia Podoroska in the second round, either of whom will be another big step up in quality.

But, as always, it will be another challenge that Andreeva is more than ready to face.