"I try to not think about it, it will disturb me" - Mirra Andreeva turns down taking inspiration from Emma Raducanu's US Open triumph at Wimbledon

Mirra Andreeva continued her stellar run at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, taking down Anastasia Potapova in the third round on Sunday. With a 6-2, 7-5 win, the 16-year-old booked her spot in the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

The 2023 Wimbledon is Andreeva's second appearance at a Major. Previously, she competed at the French Open earlier this year, where she reached the third round as a qualifer.

At SW19 as well, Andreeva came through the qualification rounds, dropping only one set in three matches. The Russian remains the last qualifier alive in the grasscourt Major across the men's and women's draws.

At the 2021 US Open, Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier, male or female, to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. More impressively, the Brit did so without dropping a set in ten matches.

It would be natural, therefore, for Andreeva to draw inspiration from Raducanu at Wimbledon this fortnight, but that's the farthest thing from the 16-year-old's mind. At her press conference after the win over Potapova, Andreeva proclaimed that entertaining the thought will only "disturb" her.

As impressive as Raducanu's feat was, Mirra Andreeva prefers to just play her matches without thinking how far she has come or who she's playing next. As it has always been the way she has approached her tennis, the Russian does not want to change her game plan, especially at this stage of the tournament.

"Of course, in 2021 she did amazing job. Everyone was impressed. I think she was impressed also to pass the quallies 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," Mirra Andreeva said.

She continued:

"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 mental-wise, tennis-wise. So, yeah, I'm just playing," she added.

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"Today, I enjoyed the atmosphere" - Mirra Andreeva on having support of Wimbledon faithful

Day Seven: The Championships - Wimbledon 2023

Mirra Andreeva also spoke about how she has had to adjust to playing in front of large crowds now that she has progressed from the junior circuit to the main tour, admitting that it disturbs her at times.

At the same time, she's also thankful for the support she has received at Wimbledon, saying that it has helped her to hear people cheering for her and shouting her name after she wins a oint.

"I would definitely say that before it might disturb me at some moments. Honestly, today I remember that some parts somebody was screaming my name, somebody was really supporting me.

"I just tried to use it for myself. I just feel the support from the crowd. When I win the point, I feel everyone is encouraging for me, everyone is cheering for me, it really helps me a lot," Mirra Andreeva said.

She added:

"Yes, I'm really happy that the crowd was, like, not only on my side because it wouldn't be unfair. Yes, but today the crowd was good. I can say that they were supporting both of us. Yes, today I enjoyed the atmosphere," she added.

Up next, the 16-year-old takes on Madison Keys in the fourth round at SW19 after the American downed Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to reach the second week.