Swiatek blinks first as Andreeva reaches IW final

Mirra Andreeva won a clash of hot streaks, with the teenager defeating two-time champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-3 on Friday to move into her second 1000-level final in a month.

The Indian Wells triumph by the 17-year-old sends the breakthrough youngster into the final against the winner from top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Australian Open champion Madison Keys.

That particular Grand Slam re-run was settled emphatically by Sabalenka, who humiliated Keys 6-0, 6-1 to reach the Californian final.for a second time after 2022.

The top seed will play her record 10th final since the start of 2024. Keys came to the court with a 16-match win streak after winning Adelaide and Melbourne and reaching the semis here.

The decisive victory earned revenge for Sabalenka after her finals loss to the American in January. Keys lost her first match since the first week of 2025 in Auckland.

Sabalenka will play her third final this season as she bids for a 19th career title.

The 26-year-old could not overlook the age gap in Sunday’s final: “It feels like an old mama playing against a kid. Oh my God. I’m 9 years older than her,” she only half joked.

“It’s crazy what she’s capable of at such a young age. It’s impressive to see.”

Sabalenka completed her hammering in a brief 52 minutes. 

“I didn’t expect this match to be that fast. I’m super happy with how I played. (It was) much needed revenge.”

WTA No. 11 Andreeva won the opening set against five-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek, ending the Pole’s run of 20 consecutive winning sets at the California desert venue.

Andreeva came to the tournament with the Dubai title in hand and won her latest challenge in two and a quarter hours of battle in unseasonably chilly conditions.

With 11 wins in a row, Andreeva is the youngest to move into the final here since Kim Clijsters in 2001.

Swiatek fell short in another semi-final. The longtime world No. 1 now second behind Sabalenka, has lost five semi-finals since winning Roland Garros last June for a fourth time.

Main photo:- Mirra Andreeva reaching IW Final – by Jimmie48/WTATennis.com