Mirra Andreeva is gearing up for the second Roland Garros semi-final of her career tomorrow, where she will face Marta Kostyuk for a spot in the final.
It represents a stern test for the teenage sensation, who will seek to be the first person this season to defeat the Ukrainian on clay.
However, given the way in which she has surged through the draw with impeccable ease, it is hard not to back Mirra Andreeva to go all the way.
And yet, despite her undeniable form, John McEnroe remains worried for the Russian, which he outlined live on TNT Sports.
John McEnroe reveals his worry for Mirra Andreeva despite reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals
The American pundit began with praise for Andreeva and her coach, stating: “Andreeva, we haven’t talked about her that much, but I have always loved that Conchita Martinez has been there and helped her as a coach.
“She is getting better, and she is growing into her body. She is a big girl, she is strong, really fit, moving well. She is going to be a force as well”
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However, despite all this, he still doubts her title credentials: “I am not sure she is quite ready to win the whole thing.
“I believe Kostyuk goes in as the favourite and then if she was to get by her, Sabalenka would go in as the heavy favourite.” This was naturally exclaimed before the Belarusian lost earlier today.
Then asked why he felt Kostyuk was the favourite, McEnroe added: “I just think she is super talented. She is having a great clay court season. Just what is going on in her country in a way, she is going to dig in more and want it more. I believe she has always been a great talent; it’s just come a little later than we expected. I think she’s in a great position.
“That does not mean Andreeva can’t win, of course she could. But I think she comes in as a fairly clear favourite.”
There is another cause for Andreeva’s fans to be concerned ahead of her match against Kostyuk, unrelated to McEnroe’s argument.
Mirra Andreeva has the best record at Roland Garros out of the players left in the draw
Whilst she may only be 19 and her experience at these events limited, she remains one of the most accomplished players left in the draw.
After all, with four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka now out, she has reached more major semi-finals than anyone else still at Roland Garros.
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Rather ironically, it is her lack of experience which actually makes her record here even more impressive, with this being just her fourth-ever appearance in the main draw and the third time she has made it to the quarter-finals at least.
As such, her record stands at 12 wins and just three losses, marking an 80% win rate.
Kostyuk’s, for comparison, has a 60% win rate.
