Talented teens Andreeva Fonseca turn heads at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California - The buzz around talented teenagers Mirra Andreeva and Joao Fonseca continued at Indian Wells on March 5, with some of the worlds top players tipping the pair to have a major impact on the sport.

Russian Andreeva, 17, became the youngest player to capture a WTA 1000 title when she won in Dubai in February, beating Grand Slam champions Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina to reach the final and breaking into the top 10.

Its incredible what shes been able to do at such a young age, fourth seed Jessica Pegula told reporters.

I think shes going to win a lot of tournaments and a lot of matches for the next 10 years.

Andreevas height, movement and serve are obvious advantages but Pegula said it was the intangibles that set her apart.

A lot of things you cant teach are already really strong and shes only going to get better, she added.

Having former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez in her corner is another big advantage, Pegula said.

That combination I think will go a long way.

Ninth seed Andreeva faces Frances Varvara Gracheva in the second round on March 7.

Fonsecas breakthrough came when the Brazilian won his first ATP Tour title in Buenos Aires in February, and Indian Wells top seed Alexander Zverev predicted big things were in store for the 18-year-old.

Hes very young, very, very talented, hes going to be great player, for sure, Zverev said.

I think he can be top 10 and maybe even further than that.

He has tremendous power from both sides. He has quite a good serve.

I think he has to work a lot on his movement still. But generally, he has a lot of power, and I think its interesting to see.