By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, July 10, 2023

Wimbledon—Aryna Sabalenka doesn't need a crystal ball to see tennis' future.

The Australian Open champion has seen her right across the net.

More: Keys Overcomes Andreeva

The second-ranked Sabalenka, who has a shot to surpass Iga Swiatek for the world No. 1 ranking this week, envisions 16-year-old Wimbledon qualifier Mirra Andreeva as a future elite player.



After defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-0 to reach her second Wimbledon quarterfinal, the world No. 2 praised world No. 102 Andreeva as a player with a very promising future—and a more advanced game than Sabalenka herself had at the same age.

"She's amazing player. When I was 16, I was going crazy and I was hitting wrong targets all over the court, but not in court," Sabalenka said. "She's playing in really high level. I play her in Madrid. She's really great player, fighting for every point.

"I mean, definitely she's going to be a top player very soon. I'm really impressed with her game, with what she's doing in the woman's tennis. That's great. She's definitely going to be a really great player."



Madison Keys, who will face Sabalenka for a spot in her first Wimbledon semifinal, concurs.

The 25th-seeded Keys rallied from a set down to defeat Andreeva 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 on No. 2 Court to advance to the last eight for the first time since 2015. Afterward, Keys said the 5'7" Andreeva's graceful movement and her serve were impressive weapons.

"I think she moves incredibly well, especially from a younger player, you don't normally see them already have the ability to get in and out of corners the way I saw her doing today," Keys said of Andreeva. "Honestly, I think she served better than me today. I was very impressed with her serve.

"Overall I think she has a very solid game. It's obviously going to improve with time."

Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport