In a thrilling turn of events at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, 17-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva stunned World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka with a remarkable comeback victory, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Andreeva’s triumph makes her the youngest champion at the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.
Andreeva, currently ranked 11th, showcased incredible resilience after dropping the first set to the top-seeded Belarusian. The teenager turned the match around with powerful serves and precise shots, outmatching Sabalenka and securing her second WTA 1000 title of the year.
With this victory, Andreeva improves her season record to an impressive 19-3—the most wins by any woman on tour this year. She is set to re-enter the top 10 in the WTA rankings on Monday, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
After a challenging first set, Andreeva found her rhythm in the second, dominating with a 17-7 advantage in winners. She sealed the set with an ace served at love, shifting the momentum in her favor. In the decisive third set, Andreeva broke Sabalenka’s serve at love, taking an early lead that she never relinquished. She closed out the match with a powerful forehand winner, dropping to her knees in celebration.
Andreeva’s feat is historic; she is the first player under 18 to defeat the women ranked No.1 and No.2 at the same WTA tournament since Serena Williams accomplished this at the 1999 US Open. She is also the youngest player to win a WTA title by defeating the top-ranked player in the final since Maria Sharapova in 2005.
In the men’s final, 13th-seeded Jack Draper of Britain claimed his first Masters 1000 title, defeating 12th-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark 6-2, 6-2. Draper, 23, demonstrated dominant form throughout the tournament, including an upset over two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals.
The left-handed Draper was rock-solid in his first Masters 1000 final, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead as Rune struggled with nerves. Draper dropped just four points on serve in the opening set and capitalized on Rune’s unforced errors to maintain control. He broke Rune’s serve early in the second set and never looked back, sealing the victory when Rune sent a backhand long.
With the victory, Draper improves to 13-2 this year and is set to make his debut in the ATP’s top 10 rankings. His impressive performance at Indian Wells marks a significant milestone in his career, signaling his emergence as a formidable force in men’s tennis.
This year’s BNP Paribas Open showcased the rise of young talents on both the women’s and men’s circuits, promising an exciting future for tennis fans worldwide.
