Andreeva into Madrid Open fourth round on 16th birthday

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Mirra Andreeva (pictured) will face world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16.

Mirra Andreeva (pictured) will face world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16.

PHOTO: VERONICA KROPF-HOUNGAN/FACEBOOK

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MADRID - Mirra Andreeva celebrated her 16th birthday by continuing her sensational run in the Madrid Open with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Magda Linette to reach the fourth round on Saturday.

The Russian teenager, ranked at a lowly 194, and who ousted 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and world number 14 Beatriz Haddad Maia earlier in the tournament, will face world number two Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16.

Andreeva broke Polish player Linette, world number 19, for 2-0 in the first set, and although the 17th seed broke back, the Russian did it again for a 4-2 lead and served it out.

The youngster broke again in the first game of the second set and converted her second match point to break Linette again and clinch victory.

Andreeva, a wildcard, became only the third 15-year-old to win a WTA 1000 main draw match when she beat Fernandez on Wednesday. AFP

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