From Sharapova Protégé to French Open Giant-Killer: How 6'1” Ashlyn Krueger Is Taking Over Women’s Tennis in 2025

Ashlyn Krueger is turning heads in Paris after storming into the second round of the French Open 2025, confirming the hype that has followed the 21-year-old American since her 2023 breakthrough season. Standing 6 ft 1 in and armed with a thundering first serve regularly topping 120 mph, the Dallas resident overpowered Dutch qualifier Suzan Lamens 6-3, 6-4 to book a marquee clash with teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva at Roland Garros. Krueger’s rapid ascent • First WTA title: Osaka 2023 (hard court) • Career-high ranking: No. 28 (April 2025) • 2025 highlights: Abu Dhabi finalist, Brisbane quarter-finalist, Rome Round 3 • Grand Slam best: US Open 2024 3rd round Although clay has historically been her least-productive surface (42 % career win rate), the American has invested the spring European swing honing heavier topspin and adding more margin to her flat forehand. The payoff arrived in Paris, where she landed 73 % of first serves and crushed 29 winners in the opening round—numbers that will give 18-year-old Andreeva plenty to think about. Sharapova connection fuels buzz Krueger first captured mainstream attention as a 15-year-old sparring partner for Maria Sharapova during the Russian star’s 2020 exhibition tour in the U.S. The pair have remained in touch, with Sharapova reportedly texting pre-match advice before Krueger’s Paris debut. The mentorship is evident in Krueger’s aggressive return position and fearless baseline posture that evoke early-career Sharapova. Key matchup: Krueger vs Andreeva • H2H: First career meeting • Playing styles: Power server vs. counter-punching prodigy • What to watch: Krueger’s kick serve into Andreeva’s backhand; Andreeva’s drop-shot variations to exploit Krueger’s tall frame. A win would propel Krueger into her first Roland Garros third round and cement her growing reputation as the next American threat on all surfaces. With compatriots Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula already deep in opposite sections of the draw, U.S. tennis fans suddenly have a new name to follow this fortnight. Beyond Paris: Olympic dreams The WTA schedule moves to grass in June, but Krueger has circled the Paris Olympics—back on these same courts in July—as her ultimate 2025 goal. Sitting inside the provisional top-30 means she is firmly in the mix for a coveted Team USA singles berth. A deep French Open run would virtually lock that spot and send her into Wimbledon with career-high confidence. Search interest surges According to real-time analytics, global searches for “Ashlyn Krueger” spiked more than 400 % within hours of her first-round win, outpacing every other American player in the draw. Social platforms lit up with highlights of her 114 mph second-serve ace on match point, a clip that amassed two million views overnight. What’s next Krueger faces Andreeva on Court Simonne-Mathieu Thursday afternoon. Victory would likely set up a potential showdown against No. 7 seed Ons Jabeur, offering the Texan a stage to prove that her power translates against top-10 opposition at a major. One thing is clear: the Ashlyn Krueger bandwagon has officially left the station, and the tennis world is eager to see how far it rolls in Paris.