Mirra Andreeva's dream run in the Australian Open has come to an end as the teenager lost to Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round.
The fairytale appeared set to continue when Andreeva claimed the first set of the match, only for her to fade as the contest wore on with the ninth seed recording a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Mirra Andreeva's Australian Open run comes to an end in the fourth round against Barbora Krejcikova
Andreeva’s popularity has risen steadily throughout the tournament as she has captured the imagination of Melbourne Park, and in the early games she showcased exactly why this was the case.
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Despite being hampered by some obvious early nerves, she fended off a break point against the Czech in the fourth.
The teenager then made the most of the momentum swing as she charged her way to three break points of her own in the subsequent game after a wonderful passing shot down the line.
“It just looks like she sees a tennis ball different to most players,” the commentator said on Nine’s coverage.
But the 16-year-old wasn’t done with there as she somehow pulled out a return off a Krejcikova smash which looped over her opponent’s head to clinch the break before she served for the opening set.
Andreeva had won the previous two meetings between the pair and looked capable of advancing to the quarter final stage for the first time at just 16-years-old.
Krejcikova was clearly unhappy with her display up until that point but came out firing early in the second to grab a break and a control over the match which she never really relinquished.
The ninth seed has made a habit of going a set down during the tournament and just like she did against Mai Hontama and Storm Hunter, Krejcikova grew into the game before overpowering her opponent.
She dominated the tempo from the baseline and proved too strong for Andreeva as she wilted under the strain of the Czech's superior hitting.
The frustration coming bubbling to the surface for Andreeva as she threw her racket onto the ground and stepped on it as the Czech star started to race away.
Krejcikova's victory booking a quarter final date against world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday, January 23rd.