Andy Murray takes aim at Australian Open TV commentator as he fires back at loaded 'mentality' dig

Tennis icon Andy Murray hailed the winning knack of 16-year-old prodigy Mirra Andreeva as he rounded on an outspoken commentator who doubted her mental fortitude.

The Russian breakthrough star was self-critiquing as she trailed 5-1 in the deciding third set against France's Diane Parry before launching an improbable comeback to win six straight games and secure a route into the last 16. And two-time Wimbledon champion Murray was among the first to head to social media to congratulate Andreeva and take aim at the claim made an international feed of the tournament.

Murray – who has reached five Finals in Melbourne – was served up a slew of similar complaints during his early career with onlookers insisting his frustration was holding him back in his teenage days. And now 36-year-old Murray, posting on X, said: "Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator 'she really needs to work on mental side of her game.. she’s too hard on herself when she’s losing' 30 minutes later 7-6 Andreeva wins.

"Maybe the reason she turned the match round is because of her mental strength. Maybe she turned the match around because she is hard on herself and demands more of herself when she’s losing/playing badly? Winner."

Andreeva's stunning run shows no signs of abating and she will head into the last 16 of the Australian Open and will find out her opponent later on Friday.