'Killed me' - Mirra Andreeva thwarts Iga Swiatek title defence to set up Indian Wells final with Aryna Sabalenka
By Rhys Jones
Updated 15/03/2025 at 14:43 GMT
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Mirra Andreeva held her nerve against Iga Swiatek to beat the Pole for the second time in as many tournaments and reach the Indian Wells final. After Swiatek "literally killed" Andreeva in the second set, the Russian teenager won a decisive third set and clinched a date with Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The Belarusian avenged her Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys to advance.
Mirra Andreeva celebrates a point against Iga Swiatek of Poland in their Semifinal round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California.
Image credit: Getty Images
Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 to reach the Indian Wells final and set up a clash with Aryna Sabalenka.
Andreeva battled back from a one-sided second set in which Swiatek "literally killed" the Russian to take the win in the third and final set.
She became the youngest winner of a WTA 1000 event with her victory in Dubai last month, and beat world No. 2 Swiatek in the quarter-final stage on her way to the final.
As reported by the WTA, Andreeva is the first 17-year-old to reach the women's final at Indian Wells since 2001, when Kim Clijsters lost to Serena Williams.
Unlike their Dubai face-off, Swiatek won a dominant second set in California. But the teenager was fast out of the gates in the third and broke Swiatek twice in the first five games.
"I feel that I was dealing with the nerves and the pressure pretty good, so I just feel proud of myself," Andreeva said.
"After she literally killed me in the second set, I was just 'well, OK, might just try to fight'. There is not much I could do about it. She was playing amazing.
"And I just kind of decided to grind and fight for every point. It doesn't matter how I put the ball in. But I have to put it in. So I just try to do everything and in the end, it was not too bad."
Swiatek was bidding to become the first woman to win the California tournament three times before suffering a second loss to the Russian in as many events.
"I don’t know why I felt so much confidence and I felt like I’m gonna go and play the tie-break like it’s the last tie-break of my life. So I just went for all my shots," Andreeva added.
"My serve was great, and, you know, just felt super comfortable and super confident during the tie-break. I kind of played on a roll."
Andreeva's coach is former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, who reached the Indian Wells final twice as a player.
"I know that my coach lost in the finals so I’m going to try to be better than her," Andreeva said.
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Sabalenka beat Madison Keys in their Indian Wells semi-final to avenge her loss to the American player in the Australian Open final.
She did so in ruthless fashion, taking just 51 minutes to cruise to a 6-0 6-1 win.
"I didn't expect that match to be that fast but I'm super happy," Sabalenka said after her dominant win, calling it "much-needed revenge."
The 26-year-old said she was looking forward to playing Andreeva, who is nine years younger than the Belarusian.
"It feels like old mama playing against the kid," she said. "I'm like what, nine years older than her? She is two years younger than my sister and I look at my sister as a kid. It's crazy."
The Russian is aiming to "take revenge" against Sabalenka after losing in the fourth round to her at the Australian Open.
"I'm going to try to take revenge because I still have nothing to lose," she said. "I feel like the match is going to be entertaining. There are going to be a lot of winners, a lot of great points."
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