Mirra Andreeva stuns favourite Aryna Sabalenka to claim first WTA Indian Wells title - 'I had to run like a rabbit'
By Oli Gent
Published 16/03/2025 at 21:16 GMT
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Mirra Andreeva shocked world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win a maiden Indian Wells title. The 17-year-old Russian came from a set down to beat the Belarusian 2-6 6-4 6-3 in the Californian desert, with the ninth seed following up her Dubai victory with another stupendous title after she had become the youngest ever WTA 1000 winner and the youngest to break into the world top 10 since 2007.
Mirra Andreeva sacrée à Indian Wells.
Image credit: Getty Images
Mirra Andreeva completed a stunning fightback to defeat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and win the Indian Wells title.
The Russian 17-year-old, who became the youngest ever winner of a WTA 1000 event in Dubai back in February, lifted her second consecutive title in the Californian desert with a 2-6 6-4 6-3 victory.
Andreeva has become the third-youngest women's champion at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, following in the footsteps of the great Martina Hingis and Serena Williams, and she showed that she belonged at the top table of the women's game with a fearless display to come back from a set down.
She completed the feat with two hours and six minutes on the clock, crashing down a thumping final forehand winner to seal the second tour title of her career.
It seemed as though the occasion may have been too grand for the teenager as she fell 3-1 down quickly in the opening set, as Sabalenka began to step inside the baseline and dictate off both wings as she so often does, and the world No. 1, who was looking to avenge her early exits in Dubai and Qatar, wrapped up the first set in 37 minutes.
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However, Andreeva dug deep in the second, clinching that elusive break in the third game having piled on the pressure in the first with three break points.
She consolidated her advantage, staving off two break-back opportunities for Sabalenka in the sixth game, holding firm to convert her second set point and level the scores.
In the third is where she really showed her mettle, continuing her momentum by breaking the Belarusian in the opening game of the decider, and then bouncing back from having her own serve breached by stealing back that break advantage.
She continued to fearlessly go toe-to-toe with the top seed during gruelling baseline rallies in the Californian heat, and she closed out the deciding set in 39 minutes, breaking Sabalenka once more for good measure to clinch the trophy.
In her acceptance speech post-match, Andreeva apologised to her backroom staff for being "a little brat" ahead of the final, and did not forget to thank herself for a job well done.
"Congrats to Aryna and your team," she said.
"I think it’s been an amazing two weeks for you. You’ve been playing amazing tennis.
"I know I was a little brat in the morning because I was super nervous. I’m sorry for that. I don’t think I would be here without all [my team], so thank you for being by my side.
"I would like to thank myself for fighting until the end and always believing in myself, and for never quitting. I had to run like a rabbit today because Aryna sent bullets, and it was really hard to keep up. That’s why I want to thank myself, because I think I played a little part also."
Sabalenka was gracious in defeat - her second at the last hurdle at Indian Wells - having lost in the final to Elena Rybakina back in 2023.
"I kind of have a love-hate relationship with this place," Sabalenka joked.
"I'll just put this trophy on top of the other one and pretend this is going to be the winners’ trophy … it's got to be quite a similar size?
"Mirra, congrats on some incredible run. A great tournament, great tennis and a great team. If I would have the same team as you have at your age, I would be a better player by now … no, no, no, don't look at my team.
"I have the best team right now! I was struggling to find the right coach, but you got it so much earlier, that's why you are doing so well.
"It's amazing to see your success and I'll meet you [soon]; next time is probably not going to go your way."
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