‘Motivated’ Mirra Andreeva ready to fight Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final after she “nearly killed” her at the Australian Open

Mirra Andreeva defeated Iga Swiatek 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-3 to extend her unbeaten run to 11-match and reach the Indian Wells final.

‘Motivated’ Mirra Andreeva ready to fight Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final after she “nearly killed” her at the Australian Open

Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka (via X)

Something had to give in the semifinal tie between Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells. Both players were on a 10-match winning streak going into the encounter. Swiatek was unbeaten since last year at the California desert, while the 17-year-old was yet to lose a tour-level since the Dubai Tennis Championships.

At the end of two hours and seven minutes, Andreeva was the player to march on into the semifinals. The World No.11 has been on a phenomenal run of form in the tournament and had already beaten Elena Rybakina in straight sets in the fourth round. She did the same against Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.

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Andreeva defeated Swiatek 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-3 to secure a place in the final of the Indian Wells final for the first time in her career. The Russian teenager will now face Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final. She has beaten the World No.1 once in their five meetings and that came in the quarterfinals of the 2024 French Open.

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They have met twice this season, first in Brisbane and then at the Australian Open, with Sabalenka winning both matches. Ahead of their sixth meeting, Andreeva still hasn’t forgotten her 1-6, 2-6 loss to Sabalenka in Melbourne.

The matches we played this year did not go my way. I can say she nearly killed me, especially in Melbourne. I will try to take revenge because I have nothing to lose, and the match is going to be entertaining. There will be many, many winners, many great points. Now it’s Conchita’s job to prepare me well for this match, so I hope she does. I will try to do my best and fight for every point.

Mirra Andreeva said via Indian Wells Press

Andreeva is now seeking to win back-to-back WTA 1000 titles this season. The World No.11 came into the year with just one title to her name but she has been at her best since Dubai. She now has a big shot at the Indian Wells title.

Mirra Andreeva joins several WTA legends after achieving a remarkable Indian Wells feat

Going into her semifinal match against Swiatek, she was deemed the least favorite because the Polish star was a two-time champion at the event. But that didn’t matter to Andreeva, who ran the show, dominating the court and forcing her opponents into making errors. She left the happiest after triumphing over the world No.2 in 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-3.

Mirra Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva (Image via X)

The victory was Andreeva’s 11th in a row and that makes her the youngest player to advance to the Indian Wells final since Kim Clijsters in 2001. In addition to Clijsters, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, and Serena Williams have all achieved the feat. Andreeva now aims to become the first teenager to win the Indian Wells title since Bianca Andreescu in 2019.

Mirra Andreeva says she doesn’t have a plan when playing on the court

During Mirra Andreeva‘s win against Iga Swiatek, she was seen flipping through the pages of her note like a high-school student. While the wind blew on the pages, it revealed to the camera the names of each opponent she had faced on the court in Indian Wells. During her press conference, she was asked whether she thinks a lot about her opponent.

Mirra Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva (via X)

I can’t say that I think a lot. I decide what to do with the ball as it comes to me. I don’t have a plan. If I feel comfortable hitting a drop shot, I hit a drop shot. If I feel comfortable going for the line, I go for the line. I really don’t think about what I’m going to do after hitting the shot, but I try to decide quickly.

Mirra Andreeva said

Andreeva has continued to play at a different level this season. Perhaps she has been playing with more freedom on the court, which has advanced her game. But her biggest challenge will be winning the Indian Wells title.