Mirra Andreeva wasted little time securing her first-ever WTA Finals victory, comfortably beating seventh seed Elina Svitolina on Monday evening.
The 19-year-old Russian, who won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this year, triumphed 6-4, 6-0 in Indian Wells, California.
Andreeva performed superbly against the Ukrainian, winning 85 per cent of her first-serve points and saving all six of Svitolina’s break-point opportunities.
Following Sunday’s blockbuster contest, Andreeva discussed her performance and pre-match preparation.
Mirra Andreeva wanted to train immediately after beating Elina Svitolina
“I actually did not know that my percentage was so high because I guess with all the nerves and adrenaline I have felt today on the court, I did not actually feel it was super good,” Andreeva said of her high first-serve win percentage. “That’s why I went on court [after the match] and served even more, to secure the good feeling.
Was Jessica Pegula out of line with what she said about Mirra Andreeva? 😳
“But it’s a very nice number. I will share it with Conchita [Martinez] and I think she will be beyond happy to hear how high the percentage was.
“I am also super happy, I felt like I was winning a lot of free points with my serve and that it gives more confidence when you play.”
Andreeva chose to practice in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s contest – a decision that was initiated by the young star, rather than her coach.
“You will not believe it, but for the very first time in my life it was my initiative,” the Russian told reporters during her post-match press conference in California.
“I called Conchita and she was like ‘are you kidding me’ and I said ‘no, let’s go and practice’. I met her in the gym and she was saying ‘you are kidding’.
“She was very surprised but it was my initiative for the very first time in my life.”
Andreeva can now look ahead to competing against Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova later this week.
Sabalenka, the top seed in Indian Wells following Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal, defeated Muchova 7-6, 7-5 earlier on Monday.
All results at the WTA Finals so far
- Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk, 6-2, 6-4
- Coco Gauff defeated Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2
- Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Muchova, 7-6, 7-5
- Mirra Andreeva defeated Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-0
Andreeva has a 2-4 record against Sabalenka, losing to the Belarusian at the 2023 Madrid Open, 2024 Madrid Open, 2025 Brisbane International and the 2025 Australian Open.
Andreeva emerged victorious in their last match-up on the WTA Tour, beating the four-time major champion in the 2025 Indian Wells final.
Andreeva has revealed her desire to compete against the world number two, and she will do just that on Wednesday – following Muchova’s contest against Svitolina.
Mirra Andreeva extends season record
Andreeva has made a habit of ‘bagelling’ her opponents on the WTA Tour this season.
With victory against Svitolina, Andreeva won her 14th 6-0 set of the year, extending her season record.
According to statisticians OptaAce, Andreeva has now claimed six more 6-0 scorelines than the next best players, who are Jessica Pegula and the retiring Sorana Cirstea.
Andreeva has also become only the seventh teenager to win a WTA Finals match since 2003, when the round robin format was introduced. She joins Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetskova, Ana Ivanovic, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki and Coco Gauff.
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