Teens Andreeva, Mboko to clash for Adelaide title

Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko will face off in a teenaged final at the Adelaide International after straight-set Friday wins.

The 18-year-old Andreeva defeated good friend and doubles partner Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-2.  Canada’s Mboko, 19, needed 58 minutes to dispatch Aussie Kimberly Birrell 6-2, 6-1 a day after beating Australian Open champion Madison Keys.

Andreeva admitted to pre-match nerves and said she had to pretend she was playing someone other than her best tennis friend.

“It could have gone either way, I’m happy how I was brave and went for my shots.”

Mboko rose more than 300 ranking places last season to currently stand 17th.

The 2025 champion at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto also won in Hong Kong last autumn. She was pleased to advance over Birrell without difficulty into her third  career final.

“I really haven’t set goals for myself yet. But getting that fast up in the rankings, you have to adapt really fast. 

“I like to take things slow and see how every week goes. You never know when you’re gonna do well.” 

Main photo;- Mirra Andreeva – by Roger Parker ISF