Mirra Andreeva etched her name in tennis history books last weekend at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The Russian teenager defeated Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6(1), 6-1 in the final to become the youngest-ever winner of a WTA 1000 event at 17 years and 299 days old.
For tennis fans looking for excitement during Dubai and many other tournaments, many turn to betting sites without verification for the best odds and bonuses, to predict outcomes in matches featuring top players like Andreeva. Her consistent performance makes her a favorite among spectators and bettors alike.
Record-breaking Victory
The win in Dubai marks just the second tour-level title for Andreeva, who burst onto the scene last year with her victory at the Iasi Open. What makes her Dubai triumph truly remarkable was the path she took to the trophy.
The victory propelled Andreeva into the world’s top 10 for the first time in her career. She now sits at number nine in the rankings, becoming the first teenager to crack the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova did so back in 2007.
Youth Movement
While Andreeva now owns the record for the youngest WTA 1000 champion, she ranks ninth on the all-time list of youngest first-time WTA winners. Her triumph at the Iasi Open last year came when she was still 16.
The record for the youngest-ever WTA champion belongs to Jennifer Capriati, who won the 1990 Puerto Rico Open at just 14 years and six months old. More recently, Coco Gauff claimed her first title at the 2019 Linz Open at age 15, placing her seventh on the historical list.
Andreeva joins an exclusive club of players to win multiple WTA titles before turning 18, alongside Maria Sharapova, Michaella Krajicek, Nicole Vaidisova, and Gauff.
Final Showdown
The championship match saw both players competing in their first WTA 1000 final. Tauson, who had upset world number two Aryna Sabalenka earlier in the tournament, started strong by breaking Andreeva’s serve in the second game to take a 2-0 lead.
But Andreeva showed the mental toughness that belies her young age, breaking back immediately to level the set. The first frame went to a tiebreak, where the Russian dominated 7-1.
From there, Andreeva took full control. After splitting the first two games of the second set, she reeled off five straight games to close out the match and claim the biggest title of her young career.
Roland-Garros Contender?
With the French Open just a few months away, Andreeva must now be considered among the genuine contenders for the title at Roland-Garros.
She made an impressive run to the semifinals in Paris last year, becoming the youngest player to reach that stage of a major. During that tournament, she knocked off 19th seed Victoria Azarenka and second seed Sabalenka before falling to eventual finalist Jasmine Paolini.
Her record at the French Open stands at seven wins against just two losses for a winning percentage of 78%, her best mark at any Grand Slam. Her game, particularly her exceptional movement, seems perfectly suited to the clay courts of Paris.
While Swiatek will remain the favorite to claim her fifth French Open title and fourth in a row, Andreeva has certainly staked her claim as a serious challenger with her victory in Dubai.
The combination of her recent form, her previous success at Roland-Garros, and her comfort on clay courts makes the teenager a player no one will want to face when the tournament begins in May.
