Andreeva exits Stuttgart Open after last-16 loss to Alexandrova
There’s no denying that Mirra Andreeva has been one of the standout stories of the 2025 tennis season so far. A teenage talent with the poise of a veteran, the 17-year-old Russian has stunned the sport with her composure, resilience, and a winning streak that saw her clinch back-to-back titles at two of the most prestigious events on the WTA calendar: Dubai and Indian Wells. But on a quiet Thursday in Stuttgart, her momentum met a brick wall.
Facing fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16 of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Andreeva looked out of sorts and out of rhythm. In just over an hour, she was sent packing with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat that felt as decisive as the scoreline suggests. It marked a rare stumble in what has been a meteoric rise for the teenager.
From teenage dream to Stuttgart setback
Andreeva, seeded sixth in Stuttgart and a newly minted member of the WTA top 10, came into the match riding high on confidence. Her title runs in Dubai and Indian Wells were not flukes—they were hard-earned triumphs over seasoned pros, including top-five scalps and clutch tie-break wins that earned her comparisons to teenage phenoms of the past.
But this time, she met a seasoned opponent who wasn’t interested in narrative. Alexandrova, 30 years old and ranked outside the top seeds, brought both experience and power to the indoor clay courts. Her game plan was clear: attack early, disrupt rhythm, and stay aggressive.
“I knew I had to be very solid from the baseline,” Alexandrova said after the match. “Mirra’s been playing great tennis this year, but I just focused on my game and took my chances when they came.”
And take them she did. Alexandrova broke Andreeva early in both sets, never letting the teenager settle. Her serve was clicking, her groundstrokes deep and penetrating, and she finished with a clean winners-to-errors ratio that underlined her dominance.
The learning curve for a rising star
For Andreeva, this loss is less a red flag and more a reminder that even the most promising journeys are rarely linear. Her rise has been spectacular, but as any seasoned tennis fan knows, consistency at the top level is the ultimate challenge.
“It wasn’t my day,” Andreeva admitted, speaking to the press afterward with the same maturity that has endeared her to fans. “I couldn’t find my rhythm and Ekaterina was just better today. But I’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
It’s that attitude—humble, honest, and quietly determined—that suggests this setback won’t derail her trajectory. If anything, it could fuel the fire for her next chapter. Andreeva has already proven she can take on the tour’s best. Now she must prove she can bounce back from defeat.
Alexandrova’s giant-killing form continues
While Andreeva’s early exit grabbed the headlines, the win was yet another impressive notch in Alexandrova’s belt. It was her fourth victory over a top-10 player this season—evidence that she’s quietly putting together a very strong 2025 campaign of her own.
She now moves on to face third seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals. The American looked in ruthless form as she dismantled Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-1 in her own last-16 tie. Pegula, always reliable on faster surfaces, will be a different kind of test for Alexandrova, but one she’ll relish.
The quarter-finals take shape
Elsewhere in Stuttgart, the last eight is taking shape with some intriguing matchups. Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini returned to the quarter-finals for the second year running, dispatching Germany’s Jule Niemeier 6-1, 7-5. Paolini’s athleticism and intensity make her a tough out, and she’ll be watching closely to see who emerges from the all-American clash between Coco Gauff and German teenager Ella Seidel.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka received a free pass to the quarters after Anastasia Potapova withdrew due to injury. Sabalenka will now take on Elise Mertens, a familiar opponent with whom she shares a rich history, including a former doubles partnership.
And the final quarter-final tie may well be the most eye-catching of the lot. Reigning world number one Iga Swiatek, the second seed here in Stuttgart, will take on either Emma Navarro or Jelena Ostapenko. The pair were due to play later Thursday, with Navarro hoping to continue her strong 2025 campaign and Ostapenko looking to regain the kind of explosive form that saw her win Roland Garros back in 2017.
A tournament that keeps delivering
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix remains one of the most popular stops on the WTA calendar, known for its blend of elite tennis and intimate atmosphere. Year after year, it provides a stage for rising stars and established names to go toe-to-toe under the roof of the Porsche Arena.
This year, with its mix of youth and experience, drama and dominance, has been no exception. Andreeva may be out, but her presence lit up the early rounds. The storylines now turn to Alexandrova’s run, Pegula’s consistency, Sabalenka’s power, and the ever-watchable artistry of Iga Swiatek.
There is still plenty of tennis to be played—and plenty of headlines yet to be written.
What’s next for Mirra Andreeva?
Back to the drawing board, but certainly not back to square one. For Mirra Andreeva, this exit will sting—any defeat does when you’re riding high—but it’s also part of the growth. At just 17, she’s already achieved more than most do in their entire careers. The key now is how she manages expectations and pressure moving forward.
Her schedule in the coming months includes key clay-court events in Madrid and Rome before attention turns to Roland Garros, where she could be a legitimate contender depending on form.
“I’m going to rest a bit, train harder, and prepare for what’s next,” she said, summing up her post-match mood. “The season is long.”
For Andreeva, the loss in Stuttgart is just one chapter in what promises to be a remarkable story. The teenager might be out of the Stuttgart Open, but she’s nowhere near done with the 2025 season—and certainly not with tennis.
