WHAT HAPPENED: It was cloudy conditions on Day 4 of the 2024 US Open, especially for No. 21 seed Mirra Andreeva. In a shocking upset, American Ashlyn Krueger overtook Andreeva, 6-1, 6-4, in Round 2—or, what one might call the Battle of the Gen Zers.
Seventeen-year-old Andreeva, a semifinalist at Roland Garros this spring, was favored to win in her first-ever encounter with 20-year-old Krueger, but fell short to the American in straight sets.
Krueger’s power and control permeated the Grandstand—an eyebrow-raising juxtaposition to Andreeva’s game play. From the start, Andreeva couldn’t command her shots. She let the first game slip away with three consecutive forehand unforced errors. She managed to even out the match 1-1, but couldn’t find her roll. In Game 7, Andreeva failed to convert a breakpoint, leaving Krueger tying a bow on the set with a forehand winner.
Andreeva turned up the heat in the second set, trading break point conversions with Krueger. In fact, the second set looked down-right close at 5-4, thanks to one of Krueger’s break point losses. However, Andreeva let the rest of the match slip away, filling the final game with errors. Ultimately, Krueger won an impressive 77% of her first serve points and clocked an 80% net approach win percentage.
Both players kept their composure throughout the match. For the 64 minutes, they were all business. That is, until the final point concluded, when Krueger released a victorious scream.
In an on-court interview, Krueger described the feeling as “electric.” She recalled watching the US Open every year as a child, and felt honored to be continuing in the tournament.
“To be in the third round is a dream,” she said.
WHAT IT MEANS: The young phenoms have achieved notable success in their less than five years at the pro level—but, similar to their records, Krueger paces a bit behind. Their ranking history acts as a prime example: Krueger sits at a career-high of No. 59 after ending 2023 at No. 89, while Andreeva also sits at a career-high of No. 21 after closing out 2023 at No. 46.
Many thought the US Open would add to Andreeva’s already impressive 2024 report card. She’s appeared in every Grand Slam main draw this year, logging a fourth round at the Australian Open and a maiden Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros. Last month, she nabbed her first career WTA singles title in Iasi, Romania, just before taking home an Olympic silver medal in doubles with Diana Shnaider.
However, Krueger’s Round 2 performance might officially dethrone her from "underdog" status, especially after her Round 1 comeback against Zhang Shuai in a 0-6, 6-1, 7-5 triumph. Plus, when it comes to Top 25 matchups, she’s on a roll, most recently defeating Leylah Fernandez in Toronto and Donna Vekic in Cincinnati.
Time will tell if her momentum can hold up against No. 16 seed Liudmila Samsonova or Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.
MATCH POINT: Krueger’s upset adds to her US Open “firsts.” In Round 1, Krueger snapped up her first US Open and first Grand Slam main draw match (previously 0-6). Looking ahead at Round 3, she’s one step closer to reaching her first tour-level quarterfinal since achieving her maiden title at Osaka 2023.
