Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek with a 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 victory to reach the Indian Wells final for the first time, continuing her impressive run towards back-to-back WTA 1000 titles.
The 17-year-old delivered a commanding performance in the opening set, securing the tiebreak with a forceful display before Swiatek responded strongly in the second set. The Polish second seed dominated that phase of the match, breaking early and taking full control as Andreeva’s backhand errors mounted.
As conditions cooled and winds picked up in the California desert, Andreeva regained her composure in the decisive third set, breaking serve early to establish momentum. A powerful forehand winner gave her a 3-1 lead, while Swiatek’s growing frustration was evident as she struggled to counter her opponent’s resilience. The match ended when Swiatek netted a backhand on match point, sealing Andreeva’s place in the final.
Reflecting on her victory, Andreeva acknowledged the challenge she faced after the one-sided second set, emphasizing her determination to fight for every point. The young Russian has now extended her winning streak to 11 matches, including two victories over the world number two. Swiatek, on the other hand, remains winless in semi-final matches since her French Open triumph last June.
In the other semi-final, Aryna Sabalenka produced a dominant display to defeat Madison Keys 6-0, 6-1, securing her spot in the title match against Andreeva. The Belarusian showed no mercy in avenging her Australian Open final loss to Keys, wrapping up the match in just 51 minutes. Despite Keys managing to hold serve late in the second set, she was unable to mount any serious resistance against Sabalenka’s relentless aggression.
Andreeva, seeded ninth, is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, who previously reached two Indian Wells finals. With a lighthearted remark, the teenager expressed her determination to surpass her coach’s achievements by aiming for victory in the final.
Swiatek’s defeat ends her attempt to become the first woman to claim a third Indian Wells title, while Andreeva now looks to build on her recent success following her title run in Dubai last month. As she prepares to face Sabalenka in Sunday’s final, she will seek to add another major title to her rapidly growing list of achievements.
