WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, July 10, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)
Since 2000, there’s been only two players under the age of 17 to reach the fourth round of the Wimbledon women’s singles by winning their third-round match in straight sets. The first was Maria Sharapova in 2003. Now, add 102nd-ranked Mirra Andreeva to that impressive list – and she’s accomplished the remarkable feat in just her second major tournament.
Sunday afternoon on No. 3 Court, the 16-year-old qualifier from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, who now lives and trains in Cannes, France, pulled off a remarkable 6-2, 7-5 third-round victory over fellow Russian and 22nd seed Anastasia Potapova. The 5-foot-7, right-handed-hitting Andreeva converted six of 21 break-point opportunities against Potapova’s serve and saved six of nine break points she faced.
Sweet 16 ✨
16-year-old Mirra Andreeva reaches the Round of 16 in just her second-ever Grand Slam#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/srXAFFbgdm
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2023
One of three qualifiers to reach the women’s third round, Andreeva is the only one to advance to the round of 16. The teenager, who was a finalist at this year’s Australian Open junior girls’ event, is also youngest woman through to the last 16 at Wimbledon since then-15-year-old Coco Gauff of the United States three years ago.
It’s pretty remarkable to think that Andreeva is playing on grass for the first time. She qualified for the Wimbledon main draw by winning a trio of preliminary matches at Roehampton at the end of June. Now, she’s stepped up her game and beaten No. 73 Wang Xiyu of China, No. 10 seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic and Potapova. Her unbelievable debut on grass continues on Monday when she will face 25th-seeded American Madison Keys for a berth in the quarterfinals. If Andreeva wins, she’ll become the youngest quarterfinalist at Wimbledon since Anna Kournikova in 1997 and at any major since Sesil Karatantcheva at the French Open in 2005. Andreeva is 28-3 this season in WTA and ITF main draw and qualifying matches.
In her on-court interview after beating Potapova, still sporting her Nike visor and with a Wimbledon towel draped around her shoulders as she spoke, Andreeva sounded upbeat in describing what she’s achieved. “I’m really happy that I managed to win this match. It was an amazing battle. She played really well.
“I did everything I could. I gave it all here … so, I feel great,” she said.
“I was out of breath almost every point”
Mirra Andreeva didn’t have the energy to show emotion on court 😂#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ZjgoAGBhIT
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2023
After reaching the third round at last month’s French Open, Andreeva has already gone one round further at Wimbledon, advancing to the fourth round.
“I did a good job because now everything is working so far,” said the Russian teenager in her post-match press conference. “Yes, I just talked with myself, and I decided everything what I have to do next. So far it’s working.”
If Andreeva comes across as exuding a level of maturity beyond her years, you’re right. Watch her perform on the court and it’s no surprise she’s being touted as the next big superstar in women’s tennis. On the court, she overcame a 4-1 second-set deficit against Potapova by keeping her cool and staying focused. In her press conferences, she’s a natural despite her shyness. At Roland Garros, Andreeva admitted that she’s a big fan of both Andy Murray and Ons Jabeur. Growing up, her favorite player was Roger Federer and she admires the work ethic of Rafael Nadal.
“Actually, I think I’m just a normal teenager, like normal girl. I do, I think, everything that the girls my age do,” Andreeva confessed, smiling as she answered questions from reporters. “I love to watch some series. I have to do my school. I have no choice. I have to suffer for two more years, and that’s it.
“Sometimes it depends on my mood, but sometimes I prefer to be alone, just with myself, yes.
“But most of the time I watch Netflix. I’m honest!”
Mirra Andreeva on if she lives a normal teenage life:
“I’m just a normal girl. I do everything girls my age do. I love to watch TV series, I have to do my school, I have no choice. I have to suffer for 2 more years & that’s it”
The most ‘normal teenage girl’ statement ever. 😂 pic.twitter.com/r2tc0NFfum
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 9, 2023
If her on-court interviews and press conferences sound like confessionals, that’s because they often are – and it’s what adds to Andreeva’s innocence and charm.
“Today, honestly, even if I wanted to show some emotions, I honestly, I couldn’t because I was out of breath almost every point,” Andreeva said in her on-court interview. “I really couldn’t show any emotions.”
✨ a debut to remember ✨
Mirra Andreeva rolls into the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time while only playing in her second-ever Grand Slam!#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/387sCx9TTc
— wta (@WTA) July 9, 2023
Meanwhile, as Andreeva has arrived at the second week of her first Wimbledon Championships, some are comparing her to 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Great Britain, who was the last qualifier to win a major title.
“Of course, in 2021 she did amazing job. Everyone was impressed,” Andreeva said of Raducanu during her Sunday press conference. “But me, I just try to not think about it. I think it will disturb me, all these thoughts. I just try to play every match and don’t think how far I have gone already or which round I’m playing, against who I’m playing.
“I just try to play every point. Doesn’t matter against who. Doesn’t matter which round. I just play my game. I don’t change anything mental-wise, tennis-wise. So, yeah, I’m just playing.”
