Preview WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Final: Mirra Andreeva and Clara Tauson battle for first WTA 1000 crown

Mirra Andreeva and Clara Tauson will face off in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, in a match between two players who have never reached this stage before. Both are seeking their first WTA 1000 title of their careers.

It will be the final with the youngest combined age in WTA 1000 history so far. Andreeva, at 17, and Tauson, at 22, have a combined age of 39 years and 351 days, surpassing the previous record held by Naomi Osaka and Daria Kasatkina (both 20 at the time), who had a combined age of 41 years and 76 days.

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Andreeva’s breakthrough: The teenager set to make history in Dubai final

The 17-year-old teenager can no longer be considered a surprise, and in less than two years, her breakthrough on the Tour has been total. She has played like an experienced player, with three wins over former Grand Slam champions: Marketa Vondrousova (No. 39), Iga Swiatek (No. 2), and Elena Rybakina (No. 7). Additionally, she easily defeated Elina Avanesian (No. 44) and Peyton Stearns (No. 46).

Mirra Andreeva at 2025 Brisbane International.

The world No. 14 has gained strength this season and continues to evolve in her game. Her backhand was particularly strong against Rybakina, along with her cool-headedness in coming back from behind in the third set. On the other hand, against Swiatek, her power from the baseline was the key factor in her victory, taking a cue from Jelena Ostapenko, who had overwhelmed the Polish player with strong shots the week before.

Andreeva is aiming for her second title as a professional, after winning the WTA 250 Iasi Open in 2024. She is the youngest finalist in WTA 1000 history and could become the youngest champion since the format was introduced this Saturday. Currently, she is ranked No. 11 in the live ranking, and a win would secure her first top-10 appearance.

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Tauson’s consistency pays off with her first WTA 1000 final

Could the Danish player be the breakout star of the season? She had a strong start in the Australian tournaments, and during the Middle East swing, she has already shown that she can maintain a high level across multiple consecutive tournaments. She has defeated Rebecca Sramkova (No. 42), Elina Svitolina (No. 24), Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1), Linda Noskova (No. 35), and Karolina Muchova (No. 17).

She has a 15-3 record for the season (losing by retirement against Elise Mertens in Doha), and she also won the ASB Classic title. Tauson is now the player with the most wins in 2025, surpassing Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek, both with 14 victories.

Clara Tauson reached her first WTA 1000 final at 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

The Dane reached her career-high ranking of world No. 33 in 2022, at just 19 years old, but since then, injuries have been a setback, causing a sharp drop in her ranking. Although physical issues don't seem to have completely disappeared—she has had two retirements this season—improvements, particularly in her serve, have given her the consistency needed to reach her first WTA 1000 final and guarantee a spot in the top-25 starting Monday.

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This is a notable advancement considering she ended 2024 ranked No. 50. Tauson has been winning around 70% of points on her first serve throughout the tournament, with a peak of 80% against none other than world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

The match breakdown ahead of the Dubai final

Tauson has displayed a variety of weapons in her career resurgence after injuries took her out of the top-100 a couple of years ago. She now boasts a reliable serve and an enviable baseline game, capable of hitting winners with both forehand and backhand when positioned well inside the court.

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Against Sabalenka, she showed she can compete in power with the best in the world, and in her victory over Muchova, she demonstrated her range of shots, with several drop shots and volleys, constantly approaching the net.

Andreeva's strengths lie in her solid baseline game and a great backhand, though her forehand is also strong. She is one of the best movers on the court and doesn’t shy away from long rallies, something Tauson will likely try to avoid.

The teenager has proven to be a player with excellent game reading and a sensitive touch on her racket, executing precise shots, using slices when needed, and boldly hitting down-the-line shots that surprise her opponents. Her biggest challenge has been moments of frustration, where Andreeva loses focus. However, she’s shown she can overcome adverse situations.

Despite the absence of the Tour’s star names in the final, such as Sabalenka, Swiatek, or Gauff, Andreeva and Tauson are two exciting names and seem destined to break into the top-10 sooner rather than later. The percentage of first serves will be key for Tauson, while Andreeva will need to assert herself from the baseline. At least from the backhand, the Russian holds an advantage.

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