Mirra Andreeva opened her Madrid Open campaign with a straight-sets win against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in the second round. In her next match, she knocked out another Hungarian, Dalma Gálfi, without dropping a set. In a rare hat trick, the Russian star has now outlasted yet another Hungarian, Anna Bondár, to reach the quarterfinals.
Andreeva’s match against Bondár, though, was nothing like her first two matches. Her opponent gave her a run for her money in a three-set battle. The teenager ultimately burst into tears after surviving the scare.
Mirra Andreeva Wins Madrid Open Match After Emotional Meltdown
Ninth seed Andreeva entered the fourth-round contest on Monday as the heavy favorite despite her 0-1 record against Bondár. But just like their 2023 match in Lausanne, Bondár staged a neck-and-neck battle in the opening set. While Andreeva eventually managed to clinch a break for a 6-5 lead, her opponent broke right back and stole the set in the tiebreak 7-6(5).
It was a different story in the set that followed. Andreeva successfully consolidated her break and held serve to close out the second set 6-3. With momentum on her side, the two-time WTA 1000 champion broke Bondár twice in the decider for a 5-1 lead. She looked poised for a smooth conclusion, but the Hungarian player had other plans, as she reclaimed both breaks.
At this point Andreeva lost control of her emotions. “I’m not a champion. I’m not a champion, no! I will lose; I will lose. I choke. I don’t want anything,” she yelled at her team.
Mirra Andreeva to her box after losing a 5-1 lead over Bondar in the deciding set in Madrid:
“I’m not a champion. I’m not a champion. I will lose. I will lose.”
Tough scenes. pic.twitter.com/mXs45BUSIV
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 27, 2026
After squandering two match points, Andreeva finally converted her third in the third-set tiebreak. She broke down in tears after 2 hours and 53 minutes of battle. Her emotional release comes at a time when the 18-year-old is trying to rebuild her mental fortitude.
MORE: Mirra Andreeva Angrily Threw Her Racket Afteer Indian Wells Title Defense Ended in Painful Loss
Andreeva has been prone to outbursts in recent months and has lost four three-set matches this season. Losing another such contest from a winning position would’ve been a bitter pill to swallow, as was evidenced by her reaction after the victory.
LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS!
Mirra Andreeva crosses the finishing line after seeing a 5-1 lead in the decider evaporate, ultimately closing out a 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 win over Anna Bondar to reach the Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/CNQJL611Fb
— WTARussians (@WTArussians) April 27, 2026
Despite her rollercoaster journey this season, the Russian star has already collected two WTA 500 titles, in Adelaide and Linz. She is chasing her first clay 1000 trophy at the Madrid Open. Andreeva faces Leylah Fernandez for a place in the semifinals of the tournament.
