Young Russian clinches Australian Open junior title
Alina Korneeva triumphed over fellow countrywoman Mirra Andreeva in the final held in Melbourne on Saturday. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Alina Korneeva clinched the girls' singles title at the Australian Open, defeating fellow Russian Mirra Andreeva in a nail-biting final on Saturday.
In her first appearance at a Grand Slam junior event, Korneeva triumphed over the 15-year-old Andreeva with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, marking a significant victory after a marathon match lasting three hours and 18 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.
As the ninth seed, Korneeva prevailed against Andreeva, the seventh seed, becoming the first Russian to secure the girls' junior title in Melbourne since Elizaveta Kulichkova in 2014. Other notable past winners include two-time champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has since enjoyed a successful professional career, including reaching the final of the French Open in 2021.
“It’s my first Grand Slam and I hope not the last one,” Korneeva expressed regarding her victory, as quoted by the WTA website. “I’m so proud of myself, of my mental game.”
Korneeva and Andreeva had previously reached the semifinals in the girls' doubles at this tournament, and Korneeva highlighted their close friendship. This bond was particularly evident as she comforted a tearful Andreeva on the court following their singles match.
“On the court, of course I can’t give to her the points. We are the opponents on the courts,” Korneeva noted. “Off the court, we are the best friends. I love her so much. She’s my girl, I don’t know, my person that I can say everything to her. I hope we will have a good relationship together.”
Later on Saturday, the women's final is set to take place at Rod Laver Arena, featuring Russian-born Elena Rybakina, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, seeking her second Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon last season. With a seed ranking of 22nd, Rybakina will compete against debut Grand Slam finalist Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the fifth seed in Melbourne.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
In her first appearance at a Grand Slam junior event, Korneeva triumphed over the 15-year-old Andreeva with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, marking a significant victory after a marathon match lasting three hours and 18 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.
As the ninth seed, Korneeva prevailed against Andreeva, the seventh seed, becoming the first Russian to secure the girls' junior title in Melbourne since Elizaveta Kulichkova in 2014. Other notable past winners include two-time champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has since enjoyed a successful professional career, including reaching the final of the French Open in 2021.
“It’s my first Grand Slam and I hope not the last one,” Korneeva expressed regarding her victory, as quoted by the WTA website. “I’m so proud of myself, of my mental game.”
Korneeva and Andreeva had previously reached the semifinals in the girls' doubles at this tournament, and Korneeva highlighted their close friendship. This bond was particularly evident as she comforted a tearful Andreeva on the court following their singles match.
“On the court, of course I can’t give to her the points. We are the opponents on the courts,” Korneeva noted. “Off the court, we are the best friends. I love her so much. She’s my girl, I don’t know, my person that I can say everything to her. I hope we will have a good relationship together.”
Later on Saturday, the women's final is set to take place at Rod Laver Arena, featuring Russian-born Elena Rybakina, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2018, seeking her second Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon last season. With a seed ranking of 22nd, Rybakina will compete against debut Grand Slam finalist Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the fifth seed in Melbourne.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
