Defending champion Iga Świątek’s bid for a third Indian Wells title ended in the semifinals on Friday as 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia secured victory to advance to her first final at the WTA 1000 event.
Świątek, the second seed and five-time Grand Slam champion, appeared in control after dominating the second set, but the ninth-seeded Andreeva regained momentum early in the third.
The Russian teenager, who was studying handwritten notes during changeovers, broke Świątek in the opening game and held firm as the Pole struggled with errors in the blustery conditions.
After two hours and 17 minutes, Andreeva became the fifth player in history to reach the Indian Wells final before turning 18, joining Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, and Kim Clijsters. She will face either world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Australian Open runner-up Madison Keys in Sunday’s final.
“Iga practically destroyed me in the second set,” Andreeva said. “I just told myself to fight for every ball in the third, and in the end, it wasn’t too bad.”
Świątek, who had been aiming to become the first woman to win three Indian Wells titles, will remain world No. 2 in the rankings. Andreeva, who won the Dubai title last month, is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of either No. 6 or No. 8, depending on the final result.
The Russian teenager, who was studying handwritten notes during changeovers, broke Świątek in the opening game and held firm as the Pole struggled with errors in the blustery conditions.
After two hours and 17 minutes, Andreeva became the fifth player in history to reach the Indian Wells final before turning 18, joining Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, and Kim Clijsters. She will face either world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Australian Open runner-up Madison Keys in Sunday’s final.
“Iga practically destroyed me in the second set,” Andreeva said. “I just told myself to fight for every ball in the third, and in the end, it wasn’t too bad.”
Świątek, who had been aiming to become the first woman to win three Indian Wells titles, will remain world No. 2 in the rankings. Andreeva, who won the Dubai title last month, is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of either No. 6 or No. 8, depending on the final result.
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