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.
Of course, in 2021 she did amazing job. Everyone was impressed. I think she was also impressed to pass the qualies and to win the slam at 18. It’s amazing but me, I just try not to think about it.
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.
Comparisons are already being drawn to Raducanu’s triumph at Flushing Meadow as a qualifier two years ago.
But Andreeva insisted: “Of course, in 2021 she did amazing job. Everyone was impressed. I think she was impressed also to pass the qualies and to win the slam at 18. It’s amazing 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 mentally-wise, tennis-wise.
“When I played my first match in qualies, I just didn’t have any expectations because it was my first match on grass. I just tried to give it all on the court.
“Since that first match, I actually found the right rhythm. Now it’s working pretty good, I can say. So, honestly, as I said, I didn’t have any expectations. I just play.
“I always say that it’s a game. The game will decide who will win the match.”
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.
Andreeva, who had to come through qualifying, was playing her sixth match of the tournament
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 honestly even if I wanted to show some emotions, I couldn’t because I was out of breath on every point!”
She added: “I do enjoy the atmosphere, it’s 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!”
Andreeva lost the Australian Open juniors final in January before she grabbed headlines at the French Open with a fine run, losing in three sets to fellow teenager Coco Gauff.
Andreeva, the Krasnoyarsk-born right-hander, is being cheered on by her grandfather Petr
Her exploits at the All England Club are being cheered on from her home country, with her grandfather Petr – on his birthday – among those cheering her on from afar.
“Today [Sunday] is the birthday of my grandpa,” the world No 102 said.
“They were watching my match, like 50 people that they invited. I received much more support [on Sunday]much more kind messages from my family.
“I spoke to my grandparents already. I said happy birthday. I can say that I received a lot of messages from my family.
“I also feel the support from Krasnoyarsk. A lot of people are supporting me.”