Not everyone can beat the No. 1 and No. 2: Mirra Andreeva sets remarkable record at Indian Wells

Mirra Andreeva follows in Serena Williams’ footsteps by becoming the youngest champion at Indian Wells in over 25 years. The 17-year-old player continues in impressive form after defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Another showdown from Andreeva, who extended her winning streak to 12 consecutive matches and won back-to-back WTA 1000 titles, as just a few weeks earlier, she triumphed at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

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Sensational Mirra Andreeva stuns Aryna Sabalenka: Teenager claims back-to-back WTA 1000 titles

The teenager delivered a phenomenal performance, not just on this day, but throughout the entire tournament. On her way to the title, she defeated Varvara Gracheva (No. 70), Clara Tauson (No. 21), Elena Rybakina (No. 7), Elina Svitolina (No. 23), Iga Swiatek (No. 2), and Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1).

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“If I had your team, I’d be a better player”: Aryna Sabalenka’s hilarious moment after loss to Mirra Andreeva

Andreeva becomes only the third player under 18 to win the title at Indian Wells. Since the tournament began featuring a women’s category in 1989, only Martina Hingis (1998) and Serena Williams (1999) have achieved this feat.

Under-18 players to win Indian Wells

• Martina Hingis (1998) – 17 years and 166 days – defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-3, 6-4.
• Serena Williams (1999) – 17 years and 283 days – defeated Steffi Graf 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
• Mirra Andreeva (2024) – 17 years and 309 days – defeated Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

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"I tried to run like a rabbit today because Aryna was sending bullets": Mirra Andreeva's hilarious analogy after epic Sabalenka Indian Wells win

Perhaps even more impressive is that Mirra Andreeva is also the third player in history under 18 to win a WTA title by defeating both the world No. 1 and No. 2 on her way to the crown. She joins, arguably, the two greatest tennis players in history, as the all-time Grand Slam champions of the Open Era: Steffi Graf (22) and Serena Williams (23).

• Steffi Graf – Miami Open 1987 – d. Martina Navratilova (No. 1, semis) and Chris Evert (No. 2, final).
• Serena Williams – US Open 1999 – d. Lindsay Davenport (No. 2, semis) and Martina Hingis (No. 1, final).
• Mirra Andreeva – Indian Wells 2025 – d. Iga Swiatek (No. 2, semis) and Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1, final).

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