A rocky start, a brilliant finish and Mirra Andreeva's shining moment

Mirra Andreeva, which was blown out by the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka from the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, almost from the square in the opening set of the Indian Wells Finale, has had an impact on the beginning of the second time – like the teenager she is. She shook her head, rolled her eyes, leaned her shoulders and chirped on the pitch.

It was nothing that they hadn't seen most of the day.

A little more than an hour later, BNP Paribas Open Trophy in hand, Andreeva offered an apology for her coach Conchita Martinez.

“I know how I always say, I can be hard-and today was not the exception,” said Andreeva at the ceremony after the game. “I know that in the morning I was a little” a little brat “in the morning.

“It's because I was super nervous, so I'm sorry.”

Everything is forgiven.

This is because Andreeva slowly brought the game to Sabalenka. Towards the end, it was Sabalenka to talk to himself, wildly with her hands and beat Wilde to beat out of balance. Andreeva was a 2-6, 6-4, 6: 3 winner a victory on Sunday afternoon, which can completely change the order of things on the Hologic WTA Tour.

In this rebellious run in the desert, Andreeva defeated No. 1 Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek No. 2 and No. 7 Elena Rybakina. She also defeated Swiatek and Rybakina on the way to the title last month at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Andreeva is only 17 years old. But when things developed, their attitude and self -confidence returned. The moment – maybe the greatest of her young life – did not turn out to be too big.

Context is everything and Andreeva has created some breathtaking comparisons. She is:

• The youngest player who defeats the world No. 1 and No. 2 in a single WTA event since 1990.
• The youngest player who has won consecutive WTA-1000/Tier I-Events since Martina Hingis in 1997.
• The third youngest player who defeats number 1 in a WTA final of a set – only older than Jennifer Capriati (1991) and Gabriela Sabatini (1988) in the past 40 years.

Ah, the 90s. When the Internet was a great unknown – INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK and Twitter/X were not even a shimmer in anyone – and they could get a dozen eggs for about one dollar.

The turning point came in the third game of the second set.

Andreeva had previously written seven break points – and couldn't even convert one. In fact, when she returned to her two one-sided losses against Sabalenka at the beginning of the year, she was a collective 0-to-18 page. That explains why Andreeva later said: “The trouble only cooked in me.”

The 19^TH was the charm. Andreeva returned a big return that Sabalenka could not keep up, and she had the break at 2: 1. Andreeva would win four of the last six Break points to lock the match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXRHIRVLGZM

Then she let go of Snoop Dog and LeBron James quotes. It doesn't seem to be quite real, but Andreevas 19 Match-Wins leads all players.

Since almost two years ago in Madrid, Andreeva has come for the best players in tennis. It is already in 6th place in the PIFWTA ranking.

The wait is over. She is here.

Five questions with Mirra Andreeva

Did I hear that in your interviews after the game you drop a LeBron James quote?

Andreeva: Something like that, yes. I remember that LeBron James once gave an interview and that I like to use it for motivational videos before the game. He said that if you cannot feel 100 percent physically, you can choose 100 percent mentally, and that makes us. So today I tried to do that – and it somehow worked.

What was the difference in the game in the end?

Andreeva: I think that I was finally able to think positively about what I do. Because the first time was a little too negative for me. I was frustrated not to convert the Break points and win some important points and games, so I really tried to be positive.

They referred Snoop Dog and thanked them after the match. What are you the proud of this performance?

Andreeva: I think I can collide back after a pretty good first sentence … because I had some difficulties and really forced myself to think positively. Because my team did a lot for me, so I also had the feeling that it wasn't really nice when I just lose. I really tried to fight for every point afterwards.

On the way to the title, you defeated World No. 1, No. 2 and No. 7 … honestly, a few months ago, did you think you would have been able to do that?

Andreeva: I would say that I am now sure that I can try to win really big games against big players. Before I just came to court and tried to win as many games as possible because I had nothing to lose. Now with top players I really have the feeling that I can beat them. It is a belief in me that I can do it now. That was the key today.

Their original destination for 2025 was the top 10. After reaching Dubai, it was the top 5 No. 5. You are in 6th place in the ranking. So what are your goals in the future?

Andreeva: I'm still trying to reach the top 5 because I haven't done it yet. The goal for me is also trying to maintain this level and maintain this attitude. I will only do my best to do that and we will see whether I can do it or not.