Andreeva 'focused' on final push

“I was very, very focused on the things that I had to do on the court. Very focused with the game plan that we have prepared with Conchita (Martinez), very focused on my mindset, on every little thing,” Andreeva said.

“I was also at some point seeing the little hairs on the ball when I was tossing or playing. So I was really, really focused today and very happy that I was able to keep the focus throughout the whole match.”

All four of the women’s singles semifinalists were born in the 2000s for the first time at a Grand Slam event. But it is world No.8 Andreeva who stands out with the more impressive tennis resume.

Five titles include a back-to-back triumph at Indian Wells and Dubai last season. Go back further to 2024 and Andreeva announced herself on the global tennis scene as a Roland-Garros semifinalist.

On that day an inspired Jasmine Paolini swept her aside 6-3, 6-1. The steely and authoritative display on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday highlighted the No.8 seed’s rapid evolution.

“I feel like two years ago, obviously when I was playing semifinals, I was very excited," she said. "I would say that I didn't believe, ‘Oh, my God, I'm playing in semifinals.’ I feel because I had that disbelief it interfered with how I played in the semis. But also, Jasmine just killed me on the court.

“Before I was thinking that, ‘Oh, my God, if I lost my serve, it's like the end of the world.’

“Now I feel like I'm getting closer, I'm getting older, a little bit more mature every match I play, a little bit more experience. So I think that now I'm able to approach every match differently and try to really focus on the opponent that I'm gonna play against and the game plan that I'm going to have to use on the court.”

Andreeva began working with former world No.2 and Roland-Garros 2000 finalist Conchita Martinez just two months prior to that semifinal defeat at RG 2024.

Since then this formidable duo has figured out how to keep this explosive talent firing, without overboiling, without losing that key word – focus.

“Of course we have been talking a lot. She's been sharing her experience, giving me a lot of advice,” Andreeva said.

“I still feel like at some points of my career I was listening but at the same time sticking to what I have been doing. So maybe that's why it was also not working every time.

“Now I feel like I completely trust what my team tells me, and now it's easier for me to do. Whatever they tell me, I will just do it.

“We are going to stick to the routine - practise, playing Uno, talk about the match, warm-up, tape, and then go on court. Nothing's going to change.”

At 19 years old it’s remarkable that Andreeva is the favourite for her first Grand Slam final against qualifier Maja Chwalinska. It shows how unique and fast evolving this tour-leading talent has been.

“She's been playing amazing three weeks for her, because she passed through qualies. She's been playing unbelievable,” Andreeva said of her forthcoming opponent.

“I don't really know how she plays. I don't really know her game style. We'll just try to prepare for the final the best we can.

“It’s going to be very entertaining, very interesting, as well, because obviously I have never played against her. It's going to be a new match for both of us.”

Providing an extra incentive in Paris, Andreeva has been relishing the prospect of adding to her accreditation pin collection.

"I'm also very excited to see, because there have been rumours that you can get a special pin if you win, a mystery pin that nobody saw. It's kind of one of my motivations, to get the very last pin of the tournament."