Bizarre men’s vs women’s tennis match takes place after star REFUSES to play against opponent
WOMEN’S tennis star Mirra Andreeva took on male player Peageois Yanis Ghazouani Durand after her opponent withdrew from the final of the Negometal Open.
Russia‘s Andreeva, 16, was due to face Ukraine‘s Marta Kostyuk in France on Sunday.
YouTube Négométal Open Bourg de PéageMirra Andreeva took on Peageois Yanis Ghazouani in a women’s vs men’s match[/caption]
YouTube Négométal Open Bourg de PéageRussian Andreeva lost the match after a late opponent change[/caption]
YouTube Négométal Open Bourg de PéageDurand claimed a victory after being drafted in following Marta Kostyuk’s withdrawal[/caption]
But Kostyuk, 21, refused to play the match due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As a result, the organisers drafted in Peageois Yanis Ghazouani Durand – ranked World No 1145 – to take on World No46 Andreeva.
A statement from the event organisers read: “Due to reasons beyond our will and given the geopolitical context in Ukraine, Marta Kostyuk will not be able to compete in the final of the 6th edition of Negometal Open.
“We’ve done our best to activate our network of professional players, but the time is unfortunately too short to find a replacement.
“So we took the decision to compete our Peageois Yanis Ghazouani Durand against the young prodigy Mirra Andreeva.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Durand went on to win the match 7-5 6-2.
Andreeva, who only turned 16 in April, reached the main draw of three Grand Slams in the 2023 season.
She made it to the third round of the French Open, before going one step further at Wimbledon.
Andreeva then also booked her spot at the US Open, exiting in the second round to eventual winner Coco Gauff.
