Seventeen-year-old Russian phenom Mirra Andreeva cemented her status as tennis’ brightest rising star with a stunning comeback victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to capture the Indian Wells crown, securing her second consecutive WTA 1000 title and rewriting the record books as the youngest champion in the elite tournament tier’s history.
Andreeva, who will rise to a career-high No. 6 in Monday’s rankings, battled past the three-time Grand Slam champion 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a thrilling final marked by her tactical brilliance and relentless resilience. The triumph extends her winning streak to 12 matches, following her title run in Dubai last month.
“I’d like to thank myself—for fighting until the end, for always believing, and for never quitting,” Andreeva quipped during the trophy ceremony, drawing laughter from the crowd. “I tried to run like a rabbit because Aryna was sending bullets across the net. It was so tough!”
The match showcased Andreeva’s maturity under pressure. After squandering 15 break points against Sabalenka’s serve in their previous meetings this year, she broke through in the second set with a masterful mix of drop shots and baseline precision. In the decider, her defensive prowess and strategic aggression rattled the top-seeded Belarusian, who faltered with unforced errors on critical points. Andreeva sealed the victory with a blistering forehand winner on her first match point.
Sabalenka, who dominated the opening set, lamented her inconsistency: “It was me against me. I made too many unforced errors on important points and let her play a little better.”
Andreeva’s rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to all-time greats. Since her breakout at the 2023 Madrid Open as a 15-year-old qualifier, she has earned praise from icons like Martina Navratilova, who called her play “well above her years,” and Andy Murray, who sent her encouragement ahead of her Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros.
Navratilova, analyzing the final for Sky Sports, highlighted Andreeva’s “all-court intelligence and composure,” traits that have fueled her meteoric rise. With her 18th birthday approaching next month, Andreeva now stands poised to challenge for the sport’s highest honors, carrying the momentum of a historic breakthrough into the clay-court season.
Key Stats:
Andreeva is the first teenager to win back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. She joins Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu as the only players to win Indian Wells on their main-draw debut.
Sabalenka remains No. 1 in the rankings despite the loss, having reached four finals in five tournaments this year.
As the tennis world buzzes over her potential, Andreeva’s fearless style and tactical versatility suggest this victory is just the beginning.
Teen Sensation Mirra Andreeva Stuns World No. 1 Sabalenka to Claim Historic Indian Wells Title
