Australian Open: 14-year-old Ksenia Efremova reaches quarter-final

The 14-year-old Ksenia Efremova is making a name for herself in Melbourne, reaching the junior Australian Open quarter-final on her debut at Majors. With massive support from the French fans on Court 14, Ksenia took down the American Mia Slama 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 24 minutes, booking a place in the last eight, where she plays against the top seed. Efremova hit five double faults. Still, she performed better behind the first and second serve, finishing the duel with 25 winners and 17 unforced errors. Ksenia grabbed half of the return points and turned them into four breaks from ten opportunities. Slama seized one break from four chances, insufficient to keep her in contention. Efremova served well in the opener, producing five comfortable holds and delivering one break for the advantage. Mia defended a break point in the encounter’s first game with a booming serve, and Ksenia extended the game with a forehand down the line winner. The American held after the rival’s forehand error, avoiding an early setback.

Ksenia Efremova, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Ksenia Efremova is through to her first Major quarter-final at 14.

Efremova painted a forehand down the line winner in the second game, leveling the score at 1-1 and firing a service winner in game four for 2-2. The French player attacked with a drop shot in the fifth game and landed a forehand winner for a break point. Slama denied it after an extended rally and Efremova’s mistake, and the 14-year-old reached another deuce after a forehand drive-volley winner. Mia finally held with a service winner, keeping her serve intact and opening a 3-2 gap. Still serving well, Ksenia locked them at 3-3 with a reliable hold after a forced error, hoping for more return chances. They came in the seventh game, with Mia spraying a forehand error and offering Ksenia two break points. The French player converted the first with a fine forehand attack, moving 4-3 up and gaining a boost. Efremova clinched the eighth game with a slice winner, forcing Slama to serve to stay in the set. The American grabbed the ninth game at love, prolonging the action and her chances.

Ksenia Efremova, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot

Efremova served for the set at 5-4 and held at 30 after Slama’s approach error, wrapping up the opener in 42 minutes. Mia netted a backhand right after the serve in the first game of the second set, finding herself a set and a break down. Ksenia embraced her sixth consecutive hold in game two, firing a forehand winner and extending the advantage. The American denied three break points in the third game, staying focused and landing a powerful serve for a hold after three deuces. Ksenia faced the first issues behind the initial shot in the fourth game, despite opening a 40-0 lead. The French player denied three break points and held for a 3-1 advantage. Slama lost her focus after squandering those chances, denying the first break point in game five with a forehand winner but falling on the second to find herself 4-1 behind. Efremova wasted a 40-0 lead for the second straight service game and got broken in game six after a double fault, allowing her opponent to pull one break back. Ksenia clinched another break in game seven after Mia’s terrible smash and served for the victory at 5-2. The 14-year-old held at love, sealing the deal in style and reaching the quarter-final on her Major debut.