Australian Open: Andreeva 'so tired' of facing Sabalenka

Australian Open hopeful Mirra Andreeva is "so tired" of going up against Aryna Sabalenka.

Teenage sensation Andreeva beat Magdalena Frech 6-2 1-6 6-2 to book her place in the last 16 of the Australian Open on Friday.

Next up for the 17-year-old, though, two-time reigning champion and world number one Sabalenka.

Andreeva and Sabalenka have already played each other four times, with the latter holding a 3-1 winning record.

However, Andreeva's victory came in the quarter-finals of last year's French Open.

"Honestly, I'm so tired to play against her," Andreeva said.

"It's, like, I don't know. I think she's the one player that I've played four or five times already. So, yeah, it's a lot.

"So what can I say? Here we are again. I know that probably it's going to be an entertaining match, and of course, I'm going to do everything possible. I'm going to give my best.

"I think it's going to be interesting to watch. So, we will see what's going to happen."

3 - Mirra Andreeva is the third player to reach consecutive Women’s Singles Rounds of 16 at the Australian Open before turning 18 in the last 30 years, after Martina Hingis (1996-98) and Nicole Vaidisova (2006-07). Raring. #AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/AgkPAyuXi8

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 17, 2025

The pair last met earlier this month, when Sabalenka won in straight sets to book her place in the final of the Brisbane International, which she went on to win.

"I'll try to treat it like it's another match, and I'm just going on court and trying to win and do my best," Andreeva added.

"But sometimes there are thoughts. She's [world] number one, maybe it's okay if, you know, this doesn't work. I don't know.

"Or maybe I play badly, but she's number one, it's okay. When we played in Brisbane, I had those thoughts, but I have talked a lot about this.

"Now I know what to do, and I figured it out. So I think that this time is it's going to be a bit better."

Andreeva is just the third woman to reach consecutive fourth rounds at the Australian Open before turning 18 in the last 30 years, after Martina Hingis (1996-98) and Nicole Vaidisova (2006-07).