Mumbai, February 22: Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva became the youngest player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 event after beating sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 Friday at the Dubai Championships. The 17-year-old Andreeva trailed 3-1 in the third set before winning the last five games to reach her second tour-level final. She won the Iasi Open in Romania last July. Emma Raducanu Opens Up On Disturbing 'Stalker' Incident During WTA Dubai Tennis Championships 2025, Raises Concerns After Man Gets Banned By Authority.

“If I lose 6-0, 5-0 or I win 7-5, 6-4, it doesn't matter," Andreeva said. "I just go for my shots and try to bring out my best level.”

Her opponent in the final will be either Clara Tauson, the Dane who knocked out top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, or Karolina Muchova. After wins against Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Marketa Vondrousova in Dubai, Andreeva also became the youngest player to beat three Grand Slam champions in a single tournament since Maria Sharapova in 2004 at the WTA Finals. Novak Djokovic Reacts After Loss Against Matteo Berrettini in Qatar Open 2025, Says ‘No Pain in Hamstring’.

“She has so much in front of her and she's for sure dangerous,” Rybakina said of Andreeva.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)