Sabalenka slams the brakes on teen threat Andreeva

Aryna Sabalenka called a halt to the breakthrough victory run of teenaged talent Mirra Andreeva on Monday with a 6-3, 6-1 defeat to reach the Madrid Masters quarter-finals.

The Australian Open champion handed the 16-year-old who went viral at the weekend as she swooned at the sight of “beautiful” Andy Murray in the player dining area at the Caja Magica, had won 16 matches since January without a loss.

But the experienced second seed quickly re-established the WTA pecking order in 73 minutes.

Sabalenka won Madrid in 2021 and has reached at least the quarter-finals in all seven of her events this season to stand a formidable 26-4.

Andreeva was the youngest player to ever reach the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event.

The teenager got away 3-1 in the opening set before being hauled in by an opponent who simply overpowered her with 28 winners.

“Aryna played very well, I have to learn how to show my best level whatever the opponent and the scenario,” Andreeva said.

“I started out very nervous, I got a little dizzy at the start because of it.

“But I take very positive things from this tournament.”