Mirra Andreeva admitted she used to have a 'crush' on Andrey Rublev after the pair reached the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals on Tuesday night. The French Open champion made the confession on court at Louis Armstrong Stadium, following two victories alongside the ATP No. 24.
Two wins book semi-final spot
The Russian duo came from a set down to beat two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori 1-4 4-1 [11-9] in their opening match. They then defeated Diana Shnaider and Casper Ruud 4-1 4-5(9) [10-5] before Andreeva's revelation.
Speaking to Rublev and the crowd, the 19-year-old said: "I've never said anything, I've never told him anything as well, but I used to have a little crush on him as well." The audience responded with laughter and a chorus of "aww".
Childhood admiration explained
Andreeva continued: "So yeah, you know, it's like a dream come true to play with my favourite…" before Rublev interrupted to give her a hug. She added: "I'm super happy that we were able to play together, to get the win together and create so many great memories. I'm super happy to play by his side."
Elaborating on her old crush, she admitted it was in the past. "I mean, first of all, his hair, okay?" she laughed. "So many interviews I saw and so many things that I heard from other people, I just knew he's a great person. I didn't know him at that time yet. I don't know, I just feel like he's super kind, very nice with everyone. Again, the hair. I don't know, everyone said that every time he would step on court, he would look tired. I don't know, he was looking great every time for me."
Rublev's response and next match
Rublev found the confession sweet but dismissed it as a childhood whim. "You know this typical moments when the kids, they don't have taste yet, they need to try some stupid things before they start to have it?" the 28-year-old explained. "I was in the part of stupid thing, in the transition moment. I think she was feeling like when you see a cat on the street. You feel, like, sorry."
Andreeva and Rublev will face Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night for a place in the mixed doubles final. Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils take on Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the other semi-final. The champions win £734k ($1million).
