Mirra Andreeva’s star shines brightly again, but she’s still too shy to ‘hi’ to Andy Murray

Shahida Jacobs
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Mirra Andreeva in action
Mirra Andreeva reacts during her match

Mirra Andreeva continued her magical 2023 campaign as she became the first qualifier in four years to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, producing yet another mature display to defeat Anastasia Potapova.

Following her run to the third round at Roland Garros just over a month ago, Andreeva has followed it up by going one better at the All England Club with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over fellow Russian Potapova.

The 16-year-old’s record on grass at top level reads: played six, won six. All of those matches have come at Wimbledon over the fortnight as she won three matches during qualifying.

Her run is similar to that of Coco Gauff back in 2019 when then 15-year-old American also reached the fourth round after coming through qualifying.

Not bad for someone who started the year at No 312 in the WTA Rankings and is projected to climb to No 64 after her latest win.

Despite Sunday’s straight-set win, Andreeva’s encounter against Potapova was anything but easy as the 22nd seed looked set to take the match to a decider as he was 4-2 up in the second set before the youngster broke back.

Potapova then had two set points in game 10, but again the teen kept a cool ahead to hold serve, then broke again in game 11 before serving it out.

“I’m really happy I won this match. She played really well. Congratulations to her and her team because they did a good job here,” Andreeva said after the win. “I did everything I could. I gave it all here. I came back from 1-4 in the 2nd set. So of course, I feel great.”

Playing in the main draw at Wimbledon for the first time means Andreeva has been rubbing shoulders with some of the all-time greats, including Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

The 16-year-old has made no secret of the fact that she is a massive Murray fan.

“I do enjoy the atmosphere. It’s amazing here. You see all the pro players. You see Djokovic. You see Murray,” she said.

When asked by the interview “I heard you like him [Murray]. Have you said hi yet?”

She replied: “No. I’m shy…

“Next year I hope I will be in a different locker room that is level above, now I do everything for it.”

Up next is Madison Keys, who defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-1.

READ MORE: Mirra Andreeva should have gone to specsavers quips Judy Murray

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