Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva continued her dream start to life on grass by storming into the last-16 at Wimbledon with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Anastasia Potapova.
Qualifier Andreeva, the youngest woman in the main draw at 16-years-old, had to wait a day to begin her third-round match but again showed why she is the talk of the tennis world with an accomplished display.
Andreeva’s victory in one hour and 35 minutes over her more experienced compatriot means her impressive grand-slam showing of reaching round three at Roland Garros in June has now been bettered.
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
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She had never competed on grass before she started qualifying at Roehampton last week, but was able to chalk up a sixth consecutive win on the English lawn.
Potapova edged their first meeting in three sets last October and despite breaks being exchanged early on, Andreeva took control and won five of the last six games of the first set.
Further breaks were shared at the start of a much closer second set before Potapova moved 4-1 up.
Andreeva showed impeccable poise to keep calm and fought back to break in the seventh and 11th games of the second set to book a fourth-round meeting with Madison Keys.
An emotional Andreeva, who has made no secret of her affection for two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, said on-court: “Of course I am really happy I managed to win this match.
“It was an amazing battle, she played really well and congrats to her and her team because they did a good job.
“I did everything I could. I gave my all and I come back in the second set from 1-4 so of course I feel great.
“I have been working on (my emotions) really hard with my coaches, with my parents, we talked a lot. Now I know it is easier or better to control my emotions on court.
“But today honestly even if I wanted to show some emotions, I couldn’t because I was out of breath on every point!
“I do enjoy the atmosphere, it is just amazing here. You see all the pro players, you see (Novak) Djokovic, you see Murray… yes the atmosphere is great and I hope next year I will be in a different locker room (for seeds) that is the level above!”
