The Rafa effect: Mirra Andreeva finds herself in Wimbledon Week 2 by trying to "copy" Nadal

What would Rafa do?

It’s a question that Mirra Andreeva asks when she finds herself in a tough spot on court. The approach seems to be working wonders for the 16-year-old, who has advanced to the round of 16 at Wimbledon after coming through the qualifying stages.

On Sunday, Andreeva erased a 1-4 deficit in the second set, later saving two set points at 4-5 before finishing off countrywoman Anastasia Potapova, 6-2, 7-5. How did she do it? Channeling her inner Nadal was one contributing factor.

“I always admire Federer and he was always my favorite player. But Nadal, he won French Open in 2022. I was really impressed. Because after an injury, he came back, he won the Australian Open, he won French Open,” shared Andreeva in her press conference.

“After that, I can say that now mental-wise I just try sometimes to copy him. I just try to remember what would he do in these moments, what would he do on the score.”

Andreeva's star has been rising fast since April, when she won a pair of ITF titles in Switzerland and followed that stretch up by scoring three victories at the 1000 event in Madrid. At Roland Garros, she qualified and advanced to the third round, where she lost in three sets to fellow teenager Coco Gauff.

The Krasnoyarsk, Russia native gave herself time to self reflect after departing Paris. That mental reset has resulted in a seamless transition to the grass, a surface Andreeva had never competed on until arriving for Wimbledon qualifying at Roehampton. Two weeks later, Andreeva's London journey has involved all green lights in stringing together six wins.

“I think I did a good job because now everything is working so far,” she said. “Yes, I just talked with myself, and I decided everything what I have to do next. So far it's working.”

For a place in the quarterfinals, Andreeva meets No. 25 seed Madison Keys on Monday.