16-Year-Old Prodigy Andreeva Learns New Opponent In Cleveland After Williams' Withdrawal
The buzz at the 2023 Cleveland Open was palpable when the draw threw up one of the most fascinating intergenerational matchups between Venus Williams and teen prodigy Mirra Andreeva.
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams, 43, and Russian young sensation Andreeva, 16, were scheduled to play each other on Monday in a clash pitting two players with one of the largest age gaps in a WTA main draw match in recent memory.
The only other time in the past two decades, when such a massive age discrepancy between two players was on show, was at the 2004 French Open and Wimbledon, when a 47-year-old Martina Navratilova, remarkably, lost to the same opponent - Gisela Dulko, then 19 - twice in those two Slams.
Sadly though, the much-anticipated clash between Venus and Andreeva won't happen after the American, who was granted a wild card by the tournament, pulled out due to a knee injury. Her place has now gone to German World No. 77 Tamara Korpatsch
Korpatsch lost in qualifying rounds to Magdalena Frech at the weekend but earns a lucky loser spot since she was among the first alternates. Andreeva leads the head-to-head 1-0, having beaten Korpatsch in three sets in the final round of qualifying for this year's Wimbledon.
Venus noted that her knee has been responding weirdly in the build-up to the WTA 250 event, and didn't take any chances by risking further injury right before the US Open where she has also received a wild card.
Williams' priorities certainly lie with getting herself ready for the year's final major which will be on home soil and which she intends to play for a 24th main draw next week. The 43-year-old, nonetheless, is hoping to return to Cleaveland next year to make up for her late withdrawal.
Andreeva has made waves this season, reaching the third round of the French Open and the fourth round of Wimbledon as a qualifier. She is currently the youngest teenager in the world's Top 100.
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