ROME – Teenage sensations Mirra Andreeva and Emma Raducanu opened their Internazionali d’Italia campaigns with impressive victories on Friday, showcasing their unique styles and immense potential.

Andreeva’s Aggressive być

The 18-year-old Andreeva, the youngest player to crack the WTA Top 10 in nearly two decades, defeated qualifier Emiliana Arango 6-2, 6-4 in her main-draw debut in Rome. Known for her unapologetic aggression, Andreeva struck 28 winners but also amassed 31 unforced errors.

“She likes to grind and she puts a lot of balls back in the court. For me, I find it not so comfortable — it’s not like I have a choice. I have to create something on the court.”

– Mirra Andreeva

Clay Chall Angel

Facing a Colombian who preferred long rallies, Andreeva toughed it out to secure her first Rome main-draw win. She’ll next play Linda Noskova in the third round, a player she’s beaten twice before.

Raducanu’s Clay Comeback

A day after she turned 20, Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, breezed past Jil Teichmann 6-2, 6-2 in her first match in the Eternal City since her debut three years ago. She served superbly, winning 33 of 52 service points, and hit six aces.

Claycerpt

Raducanu, who’s played just 20 matches on clay in her career, is finding her feet on the slow surface. She’ll next face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round.

FAQs

• Who is the youngest player to reach the WTA Top 10? Mirra Andreeva is the youngest player to reach the WTA Top 10 in nearly two decades.
• How many matches has Emma Raducanu played on clay? Emma Raducanu has played just 20 matches on clay in her career.

With their impressive performances, Andreeva and Raducanu have set the stage for an exciting weekend of tennis in Rome. Stay tuned for more action from the 247sports.news team!