Mirra Andreeva’s 2026 season opener at the Brisbane International delivered edge-of-your-seat drama as the Russian sixth seed survived a stern test from local qualifier Olivia Gadecki before rallying to victory in three sets. The match, played on January 7, 2026, had all the hallmarks of a classic early-season encounter: a big-name favorite shaking off the rust, a home underdog brimming with confidence, and a crowd eager for an upset. But when the dust settled, it was Andreeva who emerged with a gritty 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win, booking her spot in the round of 16 and keeping her maiden Brisbane title hopes alive.
The anticipation for this clash had been building since Tennis Majors published a preview just a day earlier, highlighting the players’ brief but intriguing head-to-head history. Since 2022, Andreeva and Gadecki had met once before, with the Russian holding a slender 1-0 edge. Both players came into this match with something to prove. For Andreeva, it was about establishing herself as a force in the new season after a 2025 campaign marked by notable highs, including a first-ever third-round appearance at the US Open. For Gadecki, ranked No. 204 in the world, it was about seizing the moment on home soil and extending her impressive Brisbane run—already featuring two qualifying wins and a main-draw victory.
The match began as many expected, with Andreeva quickly finding her rhythm and racing to a 3-1 lead in the first set. The Russian’s clean ball-striking and aggressive baseline play seemed poised to overwhelm her less-heralded opponent. But tennis, as ever, is a game of momentum—and Gadecki wasn’t about to let the script play out so easily. The Australian qualifier, cheered on by a vocal home crowd, reeled off five of the next six games, flipping the set on its head and snatching it 6-4. Suddenly, the possibility of a shock upset loomed large over the Pat Rafter Arena.
Gadecki’s surge wasn’t just about heart; it was about execution. She capitalized on Andreeva’s momentary lapses, mixing up her shots and showing impressive composure in the big moments. With the first set in the bag, Gadecki looked poised to make it a day to remember, especially when she carved out two consecutive break points in the third game of the second set. Had she converted, the pressure on Andreeva would have been immense.
But champions find a way, and Andreeva did just that. She dug deep to save both break points, holding serve in a pivotal moment that seemed to break the spell Gadecki had cast. From there, the match swung decisively in the Russian’s favor. Andreeva began to dictate rallies with renewed authority, her movement sharper and her groundstrokes finding the corners with increasing regularity. The sixth seed rattled off the next five games, sealing the second set 6-1 and sending a message that she was far from done.
“She beat me four times already and I (have won) two. Maybe the rivalry is a little bit there but she is leading ... unfortunately ... for now. I think we are going to have a lot of great matches in the future. Obviously I am going to have to beat some of the top players if I want to win titles. You beat them once or twice and then you get to know them better. In the end that is who you are going to play against during your whole career,” Andreeva reflected after arriving in Brisbane, according to Tennis World USA. Her words resonated as she turned the match into a showcase of her resilience and tactical acumen.
The third set was all Andreeva. She broke Gadecki’s serve twice early, consolidating her lead with confident holds. Gadecki, who had shown such promise in the opening stanza, struggled to regain her footing as the Russian’s consistency and power took over. Andreeva didn’t face another break point for the remainder of the match, closing out the set—and the contest—6-2 in just under two hours of play. The stats told the story: four breaks of serve for Andreeva in the final two sets, zero breaks conceded, and a performance that grew stronger as the pressure mounted.
For Andreeva, this comeback win was about more than just advancing to the next round. It was a statement of intent for a player looking to build on a breakout 2025 season. Last year, the Russian made headlines by reaching the third round of the US Open for the first time, defeating higher-ranked opponents and showcasing her potential on the sport’s biggest stage. She also delivered notable performances at Indian Wells and other WTA events, steadily climbing the rankings and earning a reputation as one of the game’s rising stars.
Gadecki, meanwhile, leaves the tournament with her head held high. The 204th-ranked Australian’s run through qualifying and into the main draw captured the imagination of local fans, and her spirited effort against a top seed suggests brighter days ahead. For a player still looking to establish herself at the highest level, pushing Andreeva to three sets in front of a home crowd is no small feat.
Looking ahead, Andreeva’s path doesn’t get any easier. In the round of 16, she’ll face ninth-seeded Linda Noskova, a familiar foe against whom she holds a narrow 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head meetings. The Russian is also eyeing a bigger prize: her first Brisbane International title. Standing in her way, among others, is No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion and a formidable presence on the WTA circuit. Andreeva’s own words underscore the challenge: “Obviously I am going to have to beat some of the top players if I want to win titles.”
As the Brisbane International heats up, all eyes will be on Andreeva to see if she can maintain her momentum and make a deep run. Her comeback against Gadecki serves as both a warning to her rivals and a reminder of the unpredictability that makes tennis so compelling. Will this be the week she claims her maiden Brisbane crown and derails Sabalenka’s title defense? The action is just getting started, and fans won’t want to miss what happens next.
With her first test of 2026 behind her, Mirra Andreeva remains in the hunt, her sights firmly set on the Brisbane trophy and beyond. The road ahead is filled with challenges, but if her opening match is any indication, she’s ready to meet them head-on.