CHINA OPEN

October 10, 2026

Mirra Andreeva

Press Conference

M. ANDREEVA/N. Bartunkova

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Mirra, into your very first China Open final. How would you rate your performance today?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Yes, I'm very happy and excited to be in the finals. I think I played very good today. I'm super happy with the way I was playing. Of course Nikola is a very tricky opponent. We had not an easy match at the US Open. But super happy I won today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. So you lead the tour in converted break point opportunities this season with 301. It's about four and a half per game.

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Okay.

Q. Per match. I'm curious how you think your return game over the course of the season improved, particularly today when you had five break points in a short match?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Yeah, we've been working on returning a lot. Every practice that I have we're trying to improve everything, but also to work on return 'cause I feel like even if the opponent serves well, you still have to try and put some pressure on the server.

Yeah, I feel like the work is paying off little by little. So super happy with those numbers. Conchita will be even more happy because it was her initiative. We'll just continue improving (smiling).

Q. Congratulations on qualifying for the Finals.

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Thank you.

Q. In the past we've seen instances where it's important to build momentum towards the Finals. Usually the people playing well going into the Finals generally tend to win them, as opposed to people who qualify too early. How conscious at all are you about that, without the pressure of having to qualify like last year, but wanting to go in on a roll?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Yeah, I think if we compare last year and now, of course last year I've had some pressure because I knew that I was close, I knew that I had to play well and I had to win more matches. I think when it's gotten to the point where I only had to win one match, I didn't (smiling). Of course, that was tough.

But this year I guess also learning from my mistakes, I just tried really to, as much as possible, block those thoughts out, I don't know, just focus on the tournaments that I have to play. Yeah, that's what I've been trying to do.

Now, as I qualified, of course it's easier not to think about that and just focus on the tournaments that I have ahead and to try to just put all my focus into playing well certain weeks.

Q. Your overall performance, we notice you have become more and more collected and calm and relaxed. How much or how do you practice that? Also, how much is that because of your coach Conchita?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: I feel like Conchita is getting a lot of credits (smiling), but it's okay.

I think especially here this tournament, also we take my first match where it was kind of up and down a lot, felt like I didn't play my best. I just felt like with every match that I've been playing, I was feeling better and better physically and mentally - the way I was playing on court, as well.

I think the amount of matches I've had to play, I feel like with every match I was playing better, so that was giving me confidence into every match that I was going. Yeah, I feel like that helped me the most.

Of course, Conchita also tries to point out some things that I do well so I have more confidence. Of course, she's not saying that I play well, everything is great, of course. She also tells me the things that I didn't do as well, that we need to still work on a lot.

I feel like she does a great job in kind of telling me the right thing at the right time. I guess that's why also I've been playing better and better with every match that I had to play.

Q. You've only dropped one set in your entire finals run. That was your first set. How does it feel going into the finals on such a good winning streak?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Of course, I think I feel pretty confident because I think I'm pretty satisfied with especially the way that I was playing today.

Also the match two days ago against Alexandrova, I felt like I was playing well. It was not easy. Also a lot of ups and downs where I needed to come back in the first set, then stay calm in the second set when she started to come back.

I guess kind of the mix of every match that I played also of course gives me confidence. Yeah, I think that's it (smiling).

Q. Looking ahead, obviously it will either be Zheng Qinwen or Elise Mertens. You know them very well, what to expect on the court. Potentially very different players and different environments. What do you think about having to play each one of those opponents?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Yeah, I think of course if Qinwen wins, I pretty much have some experience of playing against local players. I think that's going to be fine. Of course, we all know that she's playing at home. That's okay. Also she's been coming back, she's been playing better, she's been beating a lot of great players.

Of course, I think no matter who's going to win, it's going to be tough.

I think Elise, also she beat two top-10 players in a row. She's also on a great winning streak. She's been playing great, as well. That's true that she has a different game style.

I feel like Qinwen, obviously she's more aggressive, she likes to hit a lot of balls, she tries to play fast, whereas I think Elise kind of likes to play, build the point, kind of be smart, what to do. Yeah, different types of opponents.

We will prepare our best with Conchita no matter who will win and I will try to play my best in the final.

Q. On an interesting note, the other day you described your personality as both funny while also being annoying sometimes. You are loved here by fans for your honesty, for your truthfulness. Could you please elaborate more on that? How much are you aware of that both on court and off court?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: When I said that, that's also completely true. I know I can be super annoying. I am like that almost every day. Conchita will tell you that, for sure. She's the one that gets that a lot.

But yeah, I'm just always trying to be honest with whatever I say 'cause I also want people to know also what kind of a person I am on and off the court.

That's pretty much it. Actually when I talk, I just saw whatever comes to my mind. So I just say it. It's pretty easy. I guess that's going to be it.

I don't know if I answered your question, but here you go.

Thank you.