Why teenage phenom Andreeva is feeling right at home at China Open

Mirra Andreeva is just 18 years old, but the prodigious teenager can already count the China Open as one of her best tournaments. After easing into the Round of 16 on Monday, Andreeva has yet to lose before the fourth round in her three appearances in the Chinese capital.

"I love it because the courts are a little bit slower, the bounce is a little bit higher," Andreeva said. "It's usually a bit more humid than in New York. Everything slows down a little bit. The ball gets heavy. I like it when I have a little bit more time to think and create something during the point and during the match. I love the conditions here in Beijing.

"Also the support of the fans is unmatchable. I always have a full court packed, even when I practice for 20 minutes. I was like, Okay, I don't do anything that another player doesn't do.

"For me, it also gives a lot of motivation because people, they genuinely are supportive. They're so happy when you do well, like I'm part of their family. I receive so much support, it's just crazy. I think that for me personally, that gives a lot of motivation to just work and try to win matches here."

Andreeva is hoping that Beijing helps her reset for the remainder of the season. After a strong start to the year, which included back-to-back WTA 1000 titles at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and BNP Paribas Open, she made back-to-back Grand Slam quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

But the North American summer proved disappointing for Andreeva, who bowed out before the Round of 16 at the National Bank Open and U.S. Open.

"I think I was playing not bad throughout the whole season," Andreeva said. "Obviously I think I was on top of my game when I won those two tournaments. After, it was harder to find my rhythm. I just think that now, with every tournament that I play, I'm trying to find that rhythm again, find that mindset again. Sometimes it works, sometimes it is a little bit harder.

"I'm trying to work on myself every day and improve, as well. I can say that I've improved a lot compared to the beginning of the year. There are a lot of shots and a lot of moments where I can say, like, this has improved 30%, 40%. I think that's a good thing."

Andreeva says she's not short of energy and motivation in this last stretch of the season. Currently ranked No.5, Andreeva is in good position to qualify for the WTA Finals Riyadh for the first time. To have a good showing in her debut, she'll need to refine her game before then.

"We're going to keep on improving 'cause I still want to play one last tournament this year, a very important one," she said. "I still need to win some matches, win some points. I hope that I can make it.

"After all of the tournaments, we will talk with Conchita and see where we can improve more and we will rate the year."