Andreeva sister showdown ended by injury

Mirra Andreeva advanced 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday at the WTA Stuttgart event when her big sister Erika was forced to quit their match with a right knee injury.

Her 17-year-old sibling advanced to the last 16 on the indoor clay in this German car-making capital in 41 minutes,

Erika, a lucky loser from qualifying, held the edge in the sister series after a Tour win last autumn in Wuhan.

She needed a visit from the trainer for her strapped knee at the first changeover of the match and was never in with a chance against her sister, ranked seventh in the world.

Mirra, winner of back-to-back 1000-level titles this season in Dubai and Indian Wells, said her 20-year-old sibling led her into tennis

“”She started playing some tournaments and she showed me the way. Because of her, it was easier for me to start playing bigger tournaments right away.”

Mirra said it felt strange facing her close relative. “I honestly have weird emotions,. I should be a little bit happy that I won the match, but still I’m super sad it ended like that.”

The win came on the birthday of Mirra’s coach Conchita Martinez, who was serenaded by the crowd post-match.

Main photo:-Erika and Mirra Andreeva – by WTATennis.com