Teen sensation Andreeva takes aim at top-ranked Sabalenka in Indian Wells
Mirra Andreeva, already the youngest-ever WTA 1000 champion, tries to add another prestigious title to her resume on Sunday when she takes on world number one Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells.
For the 17-year-old Russian -- who ended Iga Swiatek's title defense in the semi-finals -- it's a chance to avenge a stinging 6-1, 6-2 loss to the Belarusian star in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
"She almost killed me, especially in Melbourne," Andreeva said. "I'm going to try to take a revenge, because I still have nothing to lose."
Andreeva has made big strides since that Australian Open defeat, notably toppling Grand Slam champions Swiatek and Elena Rybakina on the way to the WTA 1000 title in Dubai last month.
That briefly pushed her into the top 10 in the world rankings, and she'll be back there when the new rankings are released on Monday.
But Sabalenka seems fully recovered from her shock loss to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final -- a defeat she avenged with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of the American in the semi-finals.
Sabalenka hasn't dropped a set in reaching her second Indian Wells final, and after finishing runner-up to Rybakina in the California desert two years ago she's eager to go one step better.
The 26-year-old joked that taking on Andreeva would be "kind of like an old mama playing against a kid," but in fact, she said, "I passed this stage of thinking about the age of my opponent."
Sabalenka has won four of five prior meetings with Andreeva, including two this year.
Andreeva claimed her only win in the series with an upset in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last year.
The Russian is on an 11-match winning streak and is tied with Swiatek and Keys for most match wins on tour this year with 18.
The youngest woman to reach the Indian Wells final since 17-year-old Kim Clijsters in 2001, Andreeva said she's aware of, but not comparing herself to, past WTA teen greats -- a list that includes the likes of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Martina Hings and Venus and Serena Williams.
Changes in the increasingly physical women's game along with increased awareness of the dangers of youthful burnout have seen the number of pro prodigies decline and Andreeva is one of just two teenagers currently ranked in the top 100.
"Of course I know that Monica Seles and Martina Hingis, they won a lot of tournaments and a lot of titles while they were still teenagers," Andreeva said. "I try to kind of be at the same level but tennis has changed a lot and now I cannot imagine me winning eight slams at 17 years old. It's impossible.
"I try to not really think about it because I can start to compare myself and then I don't think that it's going to lead me to any good."
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Andreeva, 17, tops world No. 1 Sabalenka for Indian Wells title
Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva toppled world number one Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday to capture her second WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Sabalenka routs Keys, books Indian Wells title clash with teen Andreeva
Aryna Sabalenka avenged her Australian Open loss to Madison Keys on Friday, thrashing the American 6-0, 6-1 to book an Indian Wells title showdown with teen sensation Mirra Andreeva."I was hungry," ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Teenager Mirra Andreeva beats No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to win the Indian Wells title
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva came back to beat No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday to make the 17-year-old the tournament's youngest champion since ...Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Andreeva stops Sabalenka for Indian Wells title
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva fought back to overcome world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Indian Wells final Sunday.ESPN - 7h -
Andreeva to face Sabalenka in Indian Wells final
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beats defending champion Iga Swiatek at Indian Wells to set up a final against top seed Aryna Sabalenka.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Teenager Andreeva 'runs like rabbit' to stun Sabalenka
Teenager Mirra Andreeva underlines her growing reputation as the hottest emerging talent on the WTA Tour by shocking Aryna Sabalenka to win the Indian Wells title.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Sabalenka crushes Keys to reach Indian Wells final
World number one Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Madison Keys 6-0, 6-1 to reach the Indian Wells WTA 1000 final on Friday, avenging her loss to the fifth-ranked American in the Australian Open ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Swiatek to face Andreeva in Indian Wells semis
Defending champion Iga Swiatek sets up an Indian Wells semi-final against teenager Mirra Andreeva, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faces Madison Keys.BBC News - 3d -
Mirra Andreeva blows away Iga Swiatek to book Indian Wells final against Aryna Sabalenka
Andreeva defeats Swiatek 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 Sabalenka crushes Keys 6-0, 6-1 Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the Indian Wells final for the ...The Guardian - 2d
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