Watch: Mirra Andreeva's classy gesture towards Anastasia Potapova wins hearts

Mirra Andreeva stopped to help Anastasia Potapova after her late fall during their match at the US Open. Andreeva defeated Potapova to make it to the quarterfinals at the Flushing Meadows.Andreeva said Potapova is a good friend of hers after the match (Courtesy: AP)Mirra Andreeva won hearts at the US Open with her ultimate show of sportsmanship when she helped her injured opponent. The incident occurred during a crucial point in the decider with Andreeva edging closer to the win.With Potapova serving to remain in the contest at 5-3 down in the third set, the Austrian suffered a fall while attempting to chase down an Andreeva forehand and needed treatment for her left knee. The two players had already spent more than two hours on court, but Andreeva immediately rushed across to check on her opponent. The 19-year-old helped Potapova, who was struggling to walk, make her way back to her chair and also called for ice as she received medical attention.Potapova eventually returned to the court with heavy strapping around her knee, but the injury clearly affected her movement. She failed to win another point as Andreeva closed out the match to win it 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.Despite the disappointing conclusion to an intense battle, the two players shared a lengthy embrace at the net, with Andreeva's gesture of support earning praise after a fiercely contested encounter. Speaking after the match, Andreeva called Potapova a good friend and said it wasn't the conclusion to the battle both women had on the court.The World No.5 said she consoled Potapova and tipped her to make a stronger comeback after the loss. "Nastya, she's my good friend," Andreeva said in her on-court interview. "Seeing what a battle we had, and seeing in the last game her fall like this, it's not easy. I can imagine what she's going through and I have goosebumps on my body.""It's not the way obviously you want to finish the match, or to see one of your good friends finish the match. I just told her that she's been playing amazing so far, she's been having one of the best seasons, and I'm sure that she's going to come back even stronger because she's a warrior. I think she's even a better fighter than me."Andreeva will face either No. 4 seed Coco Gauff or No. 14 seed Iva Jovic in the quarterfinal.- EndsPublished On: Sep 8, 2026 01:04 IST