London
8 °C
Manchester
7 °C
Glasgow
Dublin
6 °C
Belfast
Washington
Denver
Atlanta
12 °C
Dallas
Houston Texas
New Orleans
El Paso
Phoenix
Los Angeles
19 °C
19 °C
-17 °C
3 °C
23 °C
8 °C
Andreeva, 17, becomes youngest WTA 1000 champion / Photo: WILLIAM WEST - AFP
NYSE - LSE
Andreeva, 17, becomes youngest WTA 1000 champion
Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva wrapped up a fairytale week in Dubai by becoming the youngest ever WTA 1000 champion with victory over Clara Tauson on Saturday.
After ousting three Grand Slam winners, including second-seeded Iga Swiatek, en route to the final, Andreeva ended Tauson's own dream run at the tournament with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 victory against the Dane.
It was a performance that didn't just earn Andreeva a maiden WTA 1000 trophy, but also secured her top-10 debut with the Russian expected to rise to number nine when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Tauson had been a giant-slayer herself this week, knocking out world number one Aryna Sabalenka on her way to the biggest final of her career.
The 22-year-old entered the clash with Andreeva leading the tour with 15 match-wins so far this season.
She was looking to add a second title to her tally in 2025, and fourth overall, but Andreeva had other ideas, as she overcame her big-hitting opponent in one hour and 46 minutes of all-court prowess.
In the youngest WTA 1000 final since the category was introduced in 2009, Andreeva played a near-perfect opening-set tiebreak to take the lead after 60 minutes of play.
She upped the ante in the second set, breaking twice for a 5-1 advantage and served out the win at the first time of asking.
On Monday, Andreeva will become the first 17-year-old to be ranked in the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.
M.Wilke--BlnAP
