After returning to winning ways in Madrid, Mirra Andreeva will look forward to continuing that at the 2024 Italian Open against Paula Badosa.
Andreeva hasn't played a lot this year, but she certainly found her best tennis at the Madrid Open. She won a couple of really solid matches before losing to eventual finalist Aryna Sabalenka.
It was good seeing Andreeva back to winning ways, and at least a huge part of that is because she's back on clay. It's certainly the surface she's enjoyed the most success so far in her career, and it shows.
Now, she's looking at a tricky Italian Open start against Badosa. The Spaniard hasn't had a good year, with a lot of injury struggles and some private situations going on as well.
It's really hard to imagine that she'll be in a great mood or motivated to play tennis, but a tricky matchup at the WTA 1000 event may just motivate her.
Sstylistically, Andreeva is a good matchup for Badosa if the Spaniard was at her best. We don't really know what might happen in this match or how she might play because she's dealing with a very painful back issue.
They had never played against each other before, so this will be the first time, and it is coming at a great moment for the 17-year-old. She's the favourite simply because there are a lot of uncertainties with her opponent right now.
She's playing better tennis at the moment, she's healthier, and she has the right tools to give Badosa a lot of trouble in this match.
| Mirra Andreeva | Paula Badosa | |
| 0 | H2H | 0 |
| 40 | Rank | 126 |
| 17 | Age | 26 |
| 12-6 | 2024 W/L | 6-9 |
| 87-24 | Career W/L | 330-190 |
Overall, this match is likely going to Andreeva's way because there is just too much pointing in her direction. Badosa could win this match, obviously, but her health may stay between her and win.
Prediction: Mirra Andreeva to win in two sets.