Tennis sisters ‘didn’t enjoy’ Wuhan Open match after prize money pact | Tennis | Sport

Erika Andreeva came out on top in the first-ever match between two talented Russian siblings, defeating her younger but higher-ranked sister Mirra 6-3, 6-1 to reach the last 16 of the Wuhan Open.

The Andreevas’ meeting was the first between two sisters in a WTA main draw match since Serena Williams defeated her older sibling Venus in Kentucky in 2020, but Erika admitted neither player would have “enjoyed it”.

Mirra, the 17-year-old French Open semi-finalist, was favoured to get the better of Erika but described the encounter as a “nightmare” prior to taking the court.

And the older sister quickly turned up the heat on an opponent she knows better than anyone, claiming three successive breaks in the first set, before storming to a 3-0 lead in the second to clinch a commanding victory.

“It was tough for both of us,” Erika said after the win. “First experience, and both of us were happy it happened at a big tournament. But I’m not sure we enjoyed it.

“It’s true (they could predict each other’s shots), because we played each other in childhood a lot. I know where she will most possibly go, and she as well. Sometimes during the rally I was like: ‘Normally I go there, but I know that she knows that I go there,’ and I changed my decision. I’m not sure that was the best choice sometimes.”

Mirra, the youngest player since 2006 to be ranked in the WTA top 20, explained ahead of the highly-anticipated clash that both sisters had agreed to split the prize money for the match regardless of the outcome.

“We decided that we’re going to split the prize money for the second round,” she said after booking her spot to meet her sister.

“Whoever wins just goes forward. We’re going to just split the prize money. But yeah, of course I’m curious to see who’s going to win tomorrow. It’s going to be a nervous match, for sure. For my parents, especially.”

But she also went on to describe the draw as a “nightmare”, with her prediction of a tough match coming true as Erika cruised to victory as she set up a last 16 clash with Jasmine Paolini.

“Well, last time we played like a practice match, not just some exercises, like the real match, I think it was maybe three to five years ago, something like that. I didn’t win,” Mirra added.

“Yeah, I don’t know. Of course, as I said before, it would be like a nightmare to play against her because it would also be a pretty weird match I think because she would know what I would do on the court, and I know what she does on the court.

“I think it’s going to be fun, of course, for the people who are watching, but it’s going to be really stressful for the both of us I think.”