Martina Navratilova picks the male player who Mirra Andreeva really reminds her of after she clinches the Indian Wells title

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Martina Navratilova has compared Mirra Andreeva to one of the world’s best players on the ATP Tour.

On Sunday, the Russian took a giant step forward in her career by winning her second successive WTA 1000 tournament.

Andreeva became the new Indian Wells champion after defeating World number one Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

She is the youngest woman since Serena Williams in 1999 to win the title in the Californian desert and she is certainly one of the players to beat as they tour heads to Florida for the Miami Open.

Martina Navratilova compares Mirra Andreeva to Carlos Alcaraz

Sabalenka made a strong start to the Indian Wells final as she comprehensively won the first set.

Both players then took a toilet break, and Andreeva came back rejuvenated and completed a comeback victory with great touch around the net and excellent defensive skills.

This impressed Martina Navratilova, who compared the 17-year-old’s court coverage and ability to switch defence into attack to the ATP Tour’s World number three, Carlos Alcaraz.

“I think the closest comparison is the way Alcaraz plays,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion told Sky Sports.

“She can play offence, she can play defence. She gets a lot more balls back than people expect. She is so above her years.”

Mirra Andreeva and Carlos Alcaraz also compared by former WTA World number five

Navratilova is not the only person to compare Andreeva and Alcaraz.

The WTA Tour’s former world number five Daniela Hantuchova spoke on The Tennis podcast about the two young players, and how they succeeded on more than one surface as teenagers.

Hantuchova also praised how quickly the two players learn and are able to improve their game to succeed at the highest levels of tennis.

“She’s become just like Carlos, a very quick student of the game and almost the full package by now which is crazy at her age,” Hantuchova said.

“She has so many different ways that she can win matches and that’s why she’s so fun to watch. I’m liking her slice backhands now, a few dropshots on the forehand side as well.”