Andreeva thanks fan for 'lucky charm' after win

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

Mirra Andreeva thanked a fan for gifting her a "lucky charm" before her French Open third-round victory against Yulia Putintseva.

The Russian world number six had a small colourful fabric patch with floral patterns on her bench during her 6-3 6-1 win over Kazakh 32nd seed Putintseva.

"When I was walking on court a little girl put a drawing on my bench and I kept it. It's my lucky charm," the 18-year-old said.

"Wherever that little girl is, I want to thank her because it is my lucky charm."

Andreeva is playing in her third French Open, having lost to Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals last year.

She is one of the in-form players in Paris, claiming titles at Indian Wells and the Dubai Open earlier this season.

She broke Putintseva's serve three times in the first set and again for a 2-1 lead in the second before a brief rain delay.

After the players returned Putintseva briefly rallied to lead 3-2, but Andreeva won the next four games to cruise into the fourth round, where she will face good friend Daria Kasatkina.

Kasatkina, competing in her first Grand Slam since switching allegiance to Australia from Russia, beat Spain's Paula Badosa 6-1 7-5.