In a thrilling showdown at the BNP Paribas Open, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva proved she is a rising force in tennis, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to capture her second consecutive WTA 1000 title.
The teenage sensation displayed grit and resilience, rallying from a set down to extend her winning streak to 12 matches. Just last month, Andreeva claimed her maiden WTA 1000 crown in Dubai, and now, she leaves Indian Wells as the youngest player to win back-to-back WTA 1000 titles since 1997.
A Historic Triumph
Andreeva’s victory cements her place in history as the youngest player in 40 years to defeat both the World No. 1 and No. 2 in the same tournament. Her semifinal victory over No. 2 Iga Swiatek set the stage for her biggest career win, as she dethroned Sabalenka in the final. With her remarkable run, Andreeva is set to climb to a career-high No. 6 in the rankings and now leads the WTA Tour in wins this season.
Grinning with confidence in her post-match speech, Andreeva referenced rapper Snoop Dogg, saying, “I would like to thank myself for fighting until the end, for always believing in me, and for never quitting.”
Battling Against the Odds
Facing Sabalenka, Andreeva had lost all four of their previous hard-court encounters, including two in January at the Brisbane International and the Australian Open. The Belarusian powerhouse seemed poised to continue her dominance, storming through the first set in just 36 minutes. Sabalenka’s aggressive play and precise volleys left little room for Andreeva to gain momentum.
But in the second set, Andreeva found her groove. After going 0-for-18 on break points against Sabalenka this season, she finally broke through, securing a crucial break with a stunning forehand winner. Holding her nerve under pressure, she fended off two break points to maintain her lead and clinched the set with back-to-back aces.
Turning the Tide
With newfound confidence, Andreeva continued her charge in the decisive third set. She won eight consecutive points, breaking Sabalenka at love to seize control. Though Sabalenka fought back momentarily, the young Russian quickly regained the lead and never looked back. She sealed the match with a forehand winner, collapsing to the ground in sheer joy.
Sabalenka later admitted that she struggled with unforced errors and let Andreeva gain the upper hand. “Honestly, it was me against me,” Sabalenka said. “She believed in herself, and I just couldn’t find my rhythm.”
What’s Next for Andreeva?
Andreeva’s meteoric rise has made her one of the most exciting young talents in tennis. She now joins the ranks of legends like Martina Hingis and Serena Williams, who won Indian Wells as teenagers. With two WTA 1000 titles in her pocket, all eyes will be on Andreeva as she heads to the Miami Open, eager to continue her sensational run.
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