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Andreeva breaks through in Dubai for first big title

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Mirra Andreeva achieved her top 10 goal months earlier than she hoped as the teenager produced a 7-6 (1), 6-1 defeat of Clara Tauson to win the WTA 1000 title in Dubai on Saturday.

The 17-year-old defeated her 22-year-old opponent in one and three-quarter hours to claim the second title of her career after a Romanian 250 last season.

She becomes the youngest ever to lift the trophy at the elite 1000 level since the  format was established in 2009.

“This is incredible, I gave myself a goal of reaching the top 10 by the end of the year. Now it’s the end of February and I’ve already made it.

“I’m super happy with how I played today.. I’m glad I could deal with the pressure… it just feels amazing.”

The winner defeated a trio of Grand Slam champions this week: Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova and Elena Rybakina plus give-time major champion Iga Swiatek.

“I tried not to think about that,” she said. “I told myself to play one point at a time; nothing is gonna change. Do what you do and don’t think of anything else.

“That was hard – there were a lot of thoughts in my mind.

Andreeva will rise to ninth in the rankings, the first teenager to get that high  since Czech Nicole Vaidisova 18 years ago.

The pair need an hour to get through the opening set, exchanging breaks in the second and third game.

Andreeva moved into position as she served for the set leading 5-4 but dropped serve. Once it got to a tiebreaker though, the teenager roared into form, racing to a 6-0 lead and claiming the set two points later as Tauson fired long.

Tauson left the court after losing the opener after being weighed down by 21 unforced  errors in the opener.

Andreeva took a tighter grip on the final with a break for 3-1, holding for 4-1 to the cheers of fans at the Aviation Club.

The world No. 12 earned an insurance break for a 5-1 lead and finished off her title performance a game later as she served out the victory, with Tauson sending a return long over the baseline to end it.

“I felt a bit lucky in the first set,” Andreeva said. “i had a dream and it came true. I’m speechless right now.”

Main photo:- Teen Mirra Andreeeva lifts Dubai trophy – by WTATennis.com

Dubai

Andreeva sister showdown ended by injury

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Mirra Andreeva advanced 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday at the WTA Stuttgart event when her big sister Erika was forced to quit their match with a right knee injury.

Her 17-year-old sibling advanced to the last 16 on the indoor clay in this German car-making capital in 41 minutes,

Erika, a lucky loser from qualifying, held the edge in the sister series after a Tour win last autumn in Wuhan.

She needed a visit from the trainer for her strapped knee at the first changeover of the match and was never in with a chance against her sister, ranked seventh in the world.

Mirra, winner of back-to-back 1000-level titles this season in Dubai and Indian Wells, said her 20-year-old sibling led her into tennis

“”She started playing some tournaments and she showed me the way. Because of her, it was easier for me to start playing bigger tournaments right away.”

Mirra said it felt strange facing her close relative. “I honestly have weird emotions,. I should be a little bit happy that I won the match, but still I’m super sad it ended like that.”

The win came on the birthday of Mirra’s coach Conchita Martinez, who was serenaded by the crowd post-match.

Main photo:-Erika and Mirra Andreeva – by WTATennis.com

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Dubai

Kasatkina confirms move to Australia

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Daria Kastakina will make an immediate move to Australia and take over the title as national No. 1 as a result.

The 12th-ranked WTA player announced on social media that she has gained permanent residence in Oz; the Russian-born 27-year-old has based herself in Dubai and Spain for the last several seasons.

“I am delighted to let you all know that my application for permanent residency has been accepted by the Australian Government,” Kasatkina posted. 

“Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there.

She has stayed well away from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, fearful that her antiwar stance and gay lifestyle would make life dangerous.

“I will always have respect and fond appreciation for my roots, but I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my career and my life under the Australian flag. Thank you all for your understanding and continued support.”

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Dubai

Andreeva arrives among the elite with IW title win

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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 winning IW title – by ISF Ltd

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