RUSSIAN TENNIS STAR SHARES FEARS OF DISQUALIFICATION FROM FRENCH OPEN FOR 'STUPID' RANT
Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva admitted she feared disqualification for a "stupid" teenage tantrum before losing to Coco Gauff.
The American star predicted a big future for the 16-year-old after she reached the third round in her first Grand Slam.
But the world No.143, who has been compared to ice queen Maria Sharapova, showed her fiery side by hitting a ball into the crowd after losing a second set point in the tiebreak.
Cannes-based Andreeva admitted: "Right after I thought that it was a really stupid move from me, because it was not necessary to do that. Yes, so that was not the best I could do and not the best.
"It was really bad what I did. Yes, I thought I was going to get defaulted but he just gave me a warning."
Gauff, who shot to fame at Wimbledon in 2019 aged just 15, fought back to win 6-7 6-1 6-1 in just over two hours.
Last year's runner-up, still only 19, said: "Mirra is super young and she has a big future ahead of her. I remember when I was 16 playing here. She has a lot to look forward to.
"I think you guys will see a lot of matches between the two of us. I was impressed with her level & I knew today wasn't going to be an easy match. She proved she belongs to be where she is and deserves to go even further."
Iga Swiatek needed only 51 minutes to destroy Chinese world No.80 Xinyu Wang 6-0 6-0 - her first double bagel at a Grand Slam.
The defending champion is an even hotter favourite to retain her title after Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina pulled out yesterday after her pre-match warm-up with a "fever".
The Kazakh said: "I'm really upset not be able to play, but I guess that's life."
World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka faces a tricky tie on Sunday against American Sloane Stephens.