Andreeva arrives among the elite with IW title win

Mirra Andreeva stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday, winning her second consecutive WTA 1000-level title in less than a month.

The Indian Wells upset by the 17-year-old backed up the youngster’s Dubai title barely a fortnight ago; victory takes her to sixth in the rankings on Monday..

Andreeva held her nerve in a tight showdown, losing the opening set and drawing a warning for firing balls into the stands in anger.

But she re-grouped in the second, breaking for a 2-1 lead as she converted after wasting her first eight break points against the top seed. She levelled the set with her fifth ace, storming into the deciding chapter.

Andreeva broke to start and end the set for a title victory in just over two hours.

She extended her match win streak to 12 in a row as she picked up a third career title after facing Sabalenka for the third time this season.

Andreeva is the third youngest player to win the Indian Wells title after Martina Hingis in 1998 and Serena Williams (1999) and youngest finalist here since Kim Clijsters in 2001.

Andreeva, who also beat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in her sprint to the title, leads the WTA with 19 wins this season.

“Last but not least, I’d like to thank myself for fighting til the end and always believing in me. For never quitting,” she said at the trophy presentation.

“I was running like a rabbit today because Aryna, she keeps sending bullets,” the winner added.

Sabalenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, accepted defeat with good grace, joking about the much smaller runner-up trophy she received.

“I kind of have a love hate relationship with this place,” the 2023 finalist said.

“I’ll just put this trophy on top of another one and pretend it’s the winners one.. similar size.”

Main photo:- 17 year old Mirra Andreeva celebrates IW title win – by ISF Ltd