Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva came back from a set down and outfoxed No. 22 seed Clara Tauson to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 Italian Open. However, Andreeva got into a heated exchange with the umpire and later broke down in tears after a contentious call was made at a pivotal moment in the match.
In the aftermath of the incident, Australian doubles legend Rennae Stubbs backed Andreeva’s reaction to the contentious call, issuing a strong-worded opinion.
Despite trailing the Russian 1-3 in the first set, Tauson eventually stood tall, securing it 7-5. However, Andreeva rallied in the second set and easily won 6-3.
Rennae Stubbs Backs Mirra Andreeva After Her Fierce Exchange With the Umpire
The third set became the center of controversy, marked by a heated exchange between Andreeva and the chair umpire, who ordered a point to be replayed due to a lighting issue on the court.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the deciding set, the World No. 7 unleashed a powerful serve that Tauson stretched to return with a looping backhand. As the ball hung in the air, Andreeva quickly struck it back toward the same side, just as the Dane shifted toward the center of the baseline.
Unconvinced by the point, Tauson appealed to the umpire for a replay, citing that the court lights had turned on mid-rally. After reviewing the footage, the chair umpire deemed the sudden lighting a ‘hindrance’ and ordered the point to be replayed.
Andreeva, who would have won the point otherwise, contested the decision, arguing that Tauson could have stopped the rally before she served. However, the umpire upheld her decision, causing the Russian teenager to cry.
“I was in the middle of the service line, of course, she (Tauson) would have stopped this point. You know how ridiculous this call is?” Andreeva argued.
Mirra Andreeva hit a winner but was forced to replay the point after the court lights turned on mid-rally.
Do you agree with the umpire's call? 🤔#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/1KcxQyrtv7
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel)
Two-time doubles Grand Slam champion Stubbs later vented her frustration with the chair umpire’s decision on X, saying she would have “lost her mind” if she had been in that situation.
“This is an umpire I would have LOST MY MIND with…..omg. Common sense lady, common sense!” She wrote.
This is an umpire I would have LOST MY MIND with…..omg. Common sense lady, common sense!
— Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs)
Notably, Andreeva was handed a code violation earlier during the first set after losing a point and later smashing her racket in anger.
Mirra Andreeva Will Face Coco Gauff in the Italian Open Quarterfinals
With her fourth-round win over Tauson, Andreeva has advanced to the Italian Open quarterfinals, where she will face Coco Gauff, the fourth seed.
The American started her campaign with a comeback win over Canada’s Victoria Mboko before beating Magda Linette in straight sets in the third round. Gauff then faced 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and convincingly dispatched her, winning 6-1, 6-2.
Andreeva, who has had a decent run in 2025 so far, with wins in Dubai and Indian Wells, is looking to secure her first triumph against Gauff. The 21-year-old leads the head-to-head against Andreeva 3-0 and won their most recent match at the 2025 Madrid Open.
In the semifinals, the winner will face the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, or reigning Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen.
