Andreeva to face Sabalenka in Indian Wells final

Mirra Andreeva, a rising Russian star, defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek in the final four to reach the women’s final at Indian Wells for the first time since 2001.

On her way to becoming the youngest WTA 1000 champion, she defeated the world number two in Dubai in February, knocking her out in the quarter-finals.

Andreeva defeated the veteran Pole 7-6 (7-1) 1-6 6-3 to extend her winning streak to 11 matches.

After a brutal victory over American Madison Keys at the Australian Open, the Belarusian avenged her defeat by winning 6-0 6-1 to face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Andreeva, the ninth seed, praised her recovery in the final set, saying, “I feel like I was dealing with the nerves and the pressure pretty well.

I was just like, “OK, might just try to fight,” I thought after she savagely killed me in the second set. I have nothing else to do. She did a fantastic job.

And I kind of made the decision to fight and grind until the end. No matter how I insert the ball. However, I must include it. So I made a simple effort to accomplish everything, which ended up being okay.

Since Kim Clijsters, who lost to Serena Williams in 2001, in 2001, Andreeva is the youngest woman to reach the Indian Wells final.

Sabalenka, the world’s number one, who defeated fifth seed Keys in just 51 minutes, will give her another significant test.

Keys’ hopes of a third consecutive title in Melbourne were put on hold after winning the second-place match in the Australian Open final, which they won 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

I really needed some time to recover from that Australian Open match, Sabalenka said.