Australian Open 2024: Mirra Andreeva reacts to Andy Murray post after stunning comeback win

Updated 19/01/2024 at 08:51 GMT

The teenage dream continues at the Australian Open for Mirra Andreeva, as the 16-year-old recovered from a seemingly hopeless position to beat Diane Parry and make the last 16. Andreeva was 5-1 down in the decider, but showed resolve to grind her way back into it, and get over the finish line. Andreeva's idol Andy Murray, posting on social media, saluted her "mental strength".

'I will frame it' - Andreeva responds to Murray's tweet

Mirra Andreeva shocked the tennis world again, this time with a stunning comeback win over Diane Parry to reach the third round of the Australian Open - but the 16-year-old seemed most delighted that her idol Andy Murray had been posting about her on social media during the match.

Andreeva was facing the exit door when she found herself 5-1 down in the final set, but somehow battled back to emerge victorious 1-6 6-1 7-6(5).

It capped a remarkable first week for the youngster, who had already made the headlines in round two by dispatching Ons Jabeur for the loss of just two games.

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Murray's supportive post during the match discussed Andreeva's mental strength, and reacting to being told of his comments in her post-match press conference, Andreeva said: "Honestly, I didn't really think that he would watch a match, then after he would tweet, he would comment something.

"Honestly, I will try to print it out somehow. I don't know, I will put it in a frame.

"I will bring it everywhere with me. I will maybe put it on the wall so I can see it every day."

She also agreed with Murray's suggestion that her mental approach aided her comeback against France's Parry.

"Maybe being harsh on myself actually helped me," she said.

"I don't know. I just try to think positively. This harshness, let's say, helped me with it because I am not very positive in my head usually. I don't know.

"I just kept pushing myself. I was saying not good words to myself. I think that helped me, that pushed me."

Andreeva reels off five games in a row from match point down

Andreeva, having emerged onto the scene so young, has inevitably been compared to other teen prodigies, such as Martina Hingis.

Hingis had an astonishing breakout year in 1997, reaching all four major finals at the age of 16, winning three of them.

While Andreeva might not yet be at that level, the Russian revealed her familiarity with Hingis' career.

"I actually watched a lot of her matches," Andreeva said.

"I heard that people compare me to her. I really like the way she plays. But I think we're a bit different in a way that she plays smart. She kind of reads the game. I feel like she's a bit more aggressive. She's not afraid to go to the net.

"I prefer to stay on the baseline. If I have an opportunity, I go to the net of course. I feel like when she played, she always wanted to go in front. She always wanted to go to the net to finish the point. I mean, I can finish the point on the baseline, I feel ok.

"As I said, I watched a lot of matches. The [1999] final of Roland-Garros against Steffi Graf, I watched this match [won by Graf]. I felt so bad for her. Of course, Steffi Graf was also an amazing player. She played really good.

"I felt really sad watching her kind of, I don't know, all this crowd was on her. I watched this match several times. Every time I feel the same way: that she didn't really deserve it."