Tennis’s ‘most beautiful doubles team’ knocked out of the French Open

A partnership dubbed ‘the most beautiful in tennis’ has been knocked out of the French Open by teen sensation Mirra Andreeva and her Russian compatriot Diana Shnaider. 

Anastasia Potapova teamed up with Olga Danilovic for just the second time in over five years to compete at Roland-Garros, and had cut a swathe through the Parisian draw. 

The players faced off with the American pairing of Desirae Krawczyk and Caroline Dolehide in the first round, pushing past them in three tight sets, but saw more success against the youthful pairing of Renata Zarazua and Alexandra Eala in round two. 

Danilovic and Potapova then battled past Briton Olivia Nicholls and Tereza Mihalikova, who were seeded twelfth in the draw to book their spot against Andreeva and Shnaider. 

But the number-four seeds offered no small obstacles – the pair are well-established on the WTA Tour, and have picked up Brisbane Open title and saw success at the Masters 1000 in Miami this year. 

And although Danilovic and Potapova looked to hold their feet to the fire in the second set, it was too little, too late as the young team triumphed 6-3, 7-5. 

The Serbian star has played with her Russian partner at three events over recent years

The partnership experienced their strongest run on the red clay of Paris, reaching the quarter-finals this week

On the heels of their run to the quarter-finals, however, Danilovic and Potapova have earned legions of new fans, with one Serbian outlet – from the former’s home nation – dubbing them the ‘most beautiful’ pairing ‘of all time’. 

Both Danilovic and Potapova were able to extend their time in Paris with a run in the doubles, with neither of the pair making the second week in the singles draw. 

Danilovic, 23, is a fine talent who has been nurtured in part by her compatriot and Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic. 

The pair have played United Cup doubles representing their home country together, and has described Djokovic as her ‘hero’. 

In a twist of fate, Danilovic beat Potapova at the age of 17 to claim her first junior singles title in Moscow over six years ago, and since then, the world No34 has claimed a number of eye-catching wins at Grand Slams. 

The Serbian beat US No1 Jessica Pegula at the Australian Open, who was seeded seventh in Melbourne. 

But on the red clay of Paris, world No1 Aryna Sabalenka proved too challenging an opponent for the younger woman, who was downed 6-2, 6-3 in the third round. 

Potapova was stopped one round earlier after her first-round defeat of No29 seed Linda Noskova as she lost to the Ukrainian Yulia Starodubtseva in straight sets. 

Potapova is ranked world No37 but she and Danilovic were unable to overcome the young team of Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva

23-year-old Danilovic has been inspired by her compatriot Novak Djokovic – and even played with him in United Cup matches

The athletes cut a striking dash in the dirt in their matching Nike dark maroon tennis dresses

Both Potapova and Danilovic were knocked out of Roland-Garros singles in the first week

But despite their premature end to the partnership, both Danilovic and Potapova seemed delighted with their travails in Paris, with Danilovic sharing a sweet message of support to her team-mate. 

‘Love sharing the court with you (heart emoji),’ Danilovic wrote on her Instagram Stories as she shared a picture of them playing with the caption: ‘This brunette-blondie energy (lightning bolt emoji).’

Both athletes cut stylish figures on the court sporting the same Nike dark maroon tennis dress and bright white visors. 

Danilovic and Potapova’s partnership has had just two previous outings, with the pair debuting in 2019 at the Brisbane Open.