Former British player
Laura Robson has predicted that Russia’s
young tennis sensation
Mirra Andreeva can be a surprise package in the
French Open
this year. The 17-year-old is already regarded as one for the future and has
recently showcased her talent at the highest level.
Andreeva was recently featured in the Dubai Duty Freen Tennis Championship, where she lifted the title after beating Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the final in
straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-1. On her way to the final, the youngster
defeated world number two Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinal in straight sets with
a score of 6-3, 6-3. She then got the better of one-time Grand Slam winner
Elena Rybakina in the semifinal with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Former British player Robson, in a column on Sky Sports, has
praised the youngster for her incredible performances in recent times. The
31-year-old also predicted that Andreeva has all the tools to win a Grand Slam
in the near future and that the French Open presents a perfect opportunity for her
to do so.
“Andreeva is still only 17, but I feel like we have known
her for a long time already,” she wrote. “We’re just waiting for that super
special Grand Slam result from her, and it feels like this is the year for it. I
think clay is an incredible surface for her, it allows her to show off her
movement and what a great athlete she is. Let’s see what happens in Paris!”
Andreeva had a great outing at the French Open, where she managed to book her place in the semifinal of a mega-event for the first time after defeating reigning world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinal. However, her journey ended there as she lost to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini
in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-1.