Mirra Andreeva has finally been overcome, but her Miami Open defeat to Amanda Anisimova certainly wasn’t short of controversy.
Andreeva was eyeing the Sunshine Double, having lifted the Indian Wells trophy in California earlier this month.
But the 17-year-old suffered an exit in just her second Miami Open match, losing 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 3-6 to Anisimova.
The third round match was, however, interrupted in dramatic fashion when Anisimova took a medical timeout when Andreeva was serving in the third set.
Russian star Andreeva had the ball in hand at deuce while trailing 3-1, with her American opponent requiring medical attention for a blister on her finger.
Brad Gilbert wants medical timeout rule looked at after Mirra Andreeva match
The former felt the latter took the timeout for tactical reasons, although Andreeva did manage to hold her serve, but then went on to lose the set and the match, with Anisimova showing her finger injury post-match.
Brad Gilbert, a former coach of Coco Gauff and Andy Murray, has now weighed in on the situation after the tense clash.
“Just my two cents you should not be allowed to get treatment in the middle of a game especially on opponent’s serve, if you are to receive treatment there you should forfeit the game then you see trainer, also end of sets serving for match opponent should not be allowed to get injury TO…”
Adding another comment shortly after, he wrote: “The biggest frustration on the trainer injury TO is the medical evaluation, that can take way longer than the 3 mins, this rule has to be looked at asap, absolutely no evaluation for retaping and especially for blister or cramps.”
Amanda Anisimova ends stunning Mirra Andreeva run at Miami Open
While Andreeva will be annoyed at her Miami Open exit, and perhaps the manner of it, she should be extremely proud of her recent efforts.
At just 17, the Russian has soared to sixth in the WTA Tour rankings, winning back-to-back titles at the Dubai Tennis Championships and Indian Wells.
READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka is certain over two things Mirra Andreeva is going to do in her tennis career
She beat Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina en route to both titles, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka overcome in the final of the latter.
Never mind the future, the present is already extremely positive for the teenager, who is now certain to be feared by the top players at the Grand Slams in 2025.
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