Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva used the blackout chaos to talk perspective after booking their place in the quarter-finals.
Before play was cancelled for the day at the Mutua Madrid Open due to the power cut that was affecting the whole of Spain, Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Gauff defeated Belinda Bencic 6-4 6-2 and will now face Andreeva in the last eight after she defeated Yulia Starodubtseva 6-1 6-4.
Speaking about the potential quarter-final Andreeva admitted she is looking forward to the clash against the American, “Last time I faced her on clay was Roland Garros 2023,” Andreeva told the WTA website.
“The first set was tight, but the rest of the match was like ehhh. She didn’t give me a chance. But it was two years ago, so I’m just super excited to not take revenge but to see how different I play. I think it’s going to be an entertaining match.”
However most of the conversation was dominated by the blackout that was affecting most of Europe.
Gauff described her post-match experience in the blackout as she showed gratitude and perspective on the experience, “It was pitch-black, and I got the gist that the power went out,” the American told the WTA website.
“I thought it was just us and then I realized it was the whole country — that’s just insane. “I was literally thinking the same thing. Most of the time we’re trying to prepare for our matches, everyone’s zoned in and we all understand that, I was talking to Frances [Tiafoe], talking to Mirra, too, Diana [Shnaider], Maddy [Keys]. This is the type of situation, it’s light-hearted, nobody knows when they’re going to go on.
“There’s no running water so I just had to take baby wipes and wipe myself and spray some perfume and call it a day. I don’t think we’re even going to be able to go back to the hotel because the traffic lights are out.
“It’s just crazy how much we depend on electricity, it’s really insane and puts it in perspective. Also makes me think about the humans before electricity and how impressive that is.”
A shocking revelation from Gauff as most players are hoping to return to their hotels this evening.
Meanwhile Andreeva admitted that this is her first blackout and is hoping she will be able to leave the site, “This is my first blackout,” the soon to be 18 year-old admitted.
“It’s actually kind of exciting because I’ve never experienced anything like this. I’m super happy that they put me first so I got to finish everything on time. But I don’t want to spend the night here and sleep in the gym, but we’re going to see what they tell us and just go from there.”
The match was due to take place on Tuesday but will now take place on Wednesday as a result of the blackout.
Heading into Wednesday’s clash Gauff leads the head-to-head 2-0.
