Andreeva joins elite company in Sharapova after reaching the Last 16 at Wimbledon

Mirra Andreeva makes history as only the second play under 17 to reach the round of 16 in the women's singles at Wimbledon.

Russian player Andreeva has joined tennis veteran Maria Sharapova as the only two players to make the last 16 at the grasscourt major under 17 years of age.

The 16-year-old qualifier defeated China's Wang Xiyu in her opening round 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. She then went on to beat tenth seed and former world No. 2 Barbora Krejčíková in straight sets, before doing the same to twenty-second seed Anastasia Potapova in her third-round match, winning 6-2, 7-5.

The world No. 102 follows in the footsteps of her compatriot Maria Sharapova, who reached the last 16 back in 2003, four years before Andreeva was even born.

The now 36-year-old was defeated in the round of 16 by Svetlana Kuznetsova, but she came back to win Wimbledon the following year. Indeed, Andreeva will likely be hoping that this is a sign of her ability to recreate the levels of success that the former world No. 1 enjoyed throughout her career, including achieving a career Grand Slam and winning silver in the women's singles at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Sharapova retired in 2020. Writing in an essay published in Vogue and Vanity Fair, she left a message for the next generation, which read

"I want anyone who dreams of excelling in anything to know that doubt and judgement are inevitable. You will fail hundreds of times and the world will watch you. Accept it. Trust yourself. I promise you that you will prevail."

With many speculating as to whether Andreeva could be the next Sharapova in the making, these words may become prevalent in the youngster's career. For now though, she will face American Madison Keys in the round of 16 tomorrow, Monday July 10, at around 12:00 CET.