Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva wins French Open to claim first Grand Slam

Eighth-ranked Mirra Andreeva ended the run of 114th-ranked Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in 6-3, 6-2 win in final.Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva was already a tennis phenom at age 15.At 19, she’s a Grand Slam champion.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4World Cup contenders: Can Spain’s young stars live up to the hype?list 2 of 4Iran 2026 World Cup squad heads to Mexico as US visa dispute eruptslist 3 of 4‘We have the right to dream’: Jordan get set to appear at first World Cuplist 4 of 4From sensor-equipped balls to robot dogs: What’s new at the World Cup?end of listThe eighth-ranked Andreeva ended the run of 114th-ranked Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska by 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open final on Saturday.Andreeva became the youngest player to win the women’s singles title since Monica Seles, who was 18 when she landed her third straight French Open in 1992.“You’re so young and talented. It’s so annoying,” Chwalinska told Andreeva during the awards ceremony.When Andreeva executed a backhand cross-court winner on her first match point, she threw her racket into the air and dropped on her knees to the clay to celebrate.During the trophy presentation, Andreeva took the unusual step of thanking herself “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 that I can do this, fighting so many demons inside of me.“Only I know how tough it was for me,” Andreeva added. “How nervous I was throughout these two weeks.”Chwalinska was attempting to become the first qualifier to capture the Roland Garros title.Andreeva was born Siberia, moved to Sochi, and eventually France, to develop her tennis career.She drew a loud applause from the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier when she spoke a few words of French during the trophy presentation.“Thanks for your support today and over these past two marvellous weeks here in Paris,” Andreeva said. “It was very important for me.”