“F*** YOU ALL”! Mirra’s explosive farewell gesture to the Indian Wells crowd.

after her elimination by Siniaková

Mirra Andreeva arrives in Miami in a climate of extreme tension after her memorable implosion at Indian Wells against Siniaková. The Russian left the court in tears after insulting the crowd and sending her own team packing in the middle of the match, confirming her chronic difficulties handling frustration as soon as the script goes off track. Once again, it was in the tie-break that Mimi cracked mentally, an area where her success stats are plummeting this season. Facing McCartney Kessler, who’s playing at home, the Florida crowd is likely to be particularly hostile in order to test the already shaky mental toughness of the young prodigy. The crowd is already frustrated by the rain and the somewhat dubious organization and will want to get their money’s worth.

For her part, McCartney Kessler comes into this second round brimming with confidence again at the perfect time. After a rough patch where wins were few and far between, the American delivered a top-class performance yesterday to turn things around. Her solid level from the baseline and her ability to handle long rallies proved she’s got her skier’s legs back. This statement win allows her to approach this clash with no inhibitions, carried by the energy of a stadium that will be fully behind her as she tries to topple the seeded player. The match against Frech was sharp, precise… Classic Kessler, which had been sorely missed.

The match-up looks set to be much tighter than the odds suggest if Kess manages to maintain the level she showed yesterday. The American has a major statistical edge in money-time with over 55% success in tie-breaks, whereas the Russian is stuck at 23%. If the match drags on and the tension rises, Kessler’s ability to win pressure points behind her first serve will be the key to shaking an already jittery Mimi. The tactical key will lie in how break points are handled, an area where the American’s aggressiveness could catch out an Andreeva who tends to tighten up under threat.