Marvellous Mirra Andreeva makes Madrid Open return with straight sets opener

Mirra Andreeva made her emergence two years ago at the Madrid Open so in reality it will always be a tournament that holds a special memory for the nearly 18-year-old Russian. She opened up her account on Thursday afternoon defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4.

Andreeva will now face Magdalena Frech in round three after a tricky assignment at times. She breezed into a 3-1 and 4-2 lead over Bouzkova in the opening set before being broken but she broke straight back after having to stave off going 40-15 up and then winning the game on advantage.

She claimed the set from there 6-3. The second was much more of a tactical battle as she held serve after staving off break points to make it 2-2 and also did so again at 3-3 as Bouzkova edged ahead at moments.

But she broke at 5-4 which proved decisive as she went on to claim the win on her fourth match point albeit only after she decisively saved a break point mid game.

Other victors this afternoon included Diana Shnaider who breezed past Katie Volynets 6-1, 6-2 in straight set as well as Emma Navarro who has just seen off Maya Joint in two tough sets.

Anna Kalinskaya also won in two sets against Diane Parry. Alexandra Eala is currently facing Iga Swiatek again and is a break up 4-2 on the current champion as she looks to register back-to-back wins over her and send her into a world of trouble again.