PARIS: As Mirra Andreeva collapsed onto the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, her coach Conchita Martinez sprang from her seat, arms outstretched in triumph. Twenty-six years after playing a French Open final herself, Martinez watched her 19-year-old pupil achieve something she never did. Displaying admirable composure in difficult windy conditions, Andreeva raced to her box to celebrate her maiden Grand Slam title. The 6-3, 6-2 victory over Maja Chwalinska made her the youngest woman to win this title since Monica Seles 34 years ago. She then returned to the court wearing a black jacket bearing her own inscription: 'I want to thank myself – Mirra.'
The Russian, presented with the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen by Mary Pierce, delivered a lengthy victory speech that seemed to last longer than the 82-minute final itself. 'Thanks to Conchita for sharing her experience, giving me advice. Thanks to everyone on my team, special thanks to my parents for believing in me,' she said. 'Last but not least I also want to thank myself for believing in myself… Always giving my 100 percent even when it’s tough. Trying every day to be better as a person and as a player. Believing I can do this. Fighting so many demons inside of me. Only I know how tough it was for me. How nervous I was these last few weeks.'
Even before the final commenced, the crowd leaned heavily toward Chwalinska. Polish flags dotted the stands and chants of 'Maja, Maja' rolled around the grounds. The chorus continued until Andreeva appeared to a polite reception. The question was whether the Russian could keep her nerves in check playing against the crowd.
The 19-year-old from Krasnoyarsk in Siberia broke in the opening game, which Chwalinska began with a double fault. At the third time of asking, Andreeva found the sweet timing that proved so damaging. Chwalinska broke back immediately when the Russian attempted to hit with generous shape. The first four games all went with serve being broken, as neither player found rhythm due to wind or nerves. The pattern ended when Chwalinska held to love, with Andreeva responding in kind.
Midway through the opening set, Andreeva found her stride. She stopped forcing the pace or answering moonballs with moonballs, settling into her natural game of opening the court and finding targets. Chwalinska, the first qualifier to reach a Roland Garros final and playing her tenth match in roughly 20 days, began to fade. Andreeva stormed to a 5-0 lead in the second set, but Chwalinska broke when the Russian served for the match in the seventh game, cutting the lead to 2-5. In the next game, Andreeva made amends, breaking at love.
