Mirra Andreeva Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Claim Indian Wells Title

In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, 17-year-old Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva overcame World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Sunday, March 16. The final score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 marked Andreeva’s second consecutive WTA 1000 title and solidified her status as one of the brightest emerging stars in women’s tennis.

The match, held under the warm Southern California sun, showcased a dramatic turnaround for the ninth-seeded Andreeva, who dropped the first set convincingly to the powerful Sabalenka. The Belarusian, ranked No. 1 and a three-time Grand Slam champion, dominated early with her aggressive baseline play, breaking Andreeva twice to secure the first set 6-2. However, the young Russian refused to back down, adjusting her strategy to counter Sabalenka’s relentless power.

In the second set, Andreeva found her rhythm, improving her serve and striking a balance between defense and aggression. She broke Sabalenka’s serve and held her own with a critical ace, leveling the match at one set apiece. The third set saw Andreeva seize control early, breaking Sabalenka at love in the opening game and maintaining her composure despite a brief fightback from the top seed. A defensive lob set up match point, and Andreeva sealed the victory with a forehand winner, collapsing to her knees in celebration as the crowd erupted.

“I would like to thank myself for fighting until the end and for always believing in me and for never quitting,” Andreeva said during the trophy ceremony. “I was running like a rabbit today because Aryna, she’s been sending bullets, and it was really hard to just keep up.”

At 17 years and 322 days old, Andreeva becomes the youngest Indian Wells champion since Serena Williams won the title in 1999. This victory also marks her as the third-youngest champion in the tournament’s history, behind only Martina Hingis (1998) and Williams. Her triumph extends her 2025 win streak to 12 matches and boosts her season record to an impressive 19-3, the most wins by any woman on the WTA Tour this year.

Sabalenka, who entered the final with a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over Andreeva, including two wins earlier this season, acknowledged her opponent’s tenacity. “Mirra, congrats on an incredible run – great tournament, and great tennis,” Sabalenka said, adding a lighthearted note: “I have a love-hate relationship with this place,” referencing her second runner-up finish at Indian Wells after losing the 2023 final to Elena Rybakina.

Andreeva’s path to the title was nothing short of remarkable. She defeated World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, making her the first player under 18 to beat both the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked players at the same WTA tournament since Williams accomplished the feat at the 1999 U.S. Open. Earlier in the tournament, Andreeva dispatched strong contenders like Elina Svitolina, showcasing her ability to compete against the best in the sport.

This victory propels Andreeva back into the WTA Top 10, with her ranking set to rise to a career-high No. 6 on Monday, March 17, 2025. It also marks her second WTA 1000 title of the year, following her breakthrough win in Dubai last month, where she became the youngest player to claim a 1000-level crown.

Tennis analysts and fans alike are hailing Andreeva as a future superstar. Her blend of tactical intelligence, athleticism, and mental toughness has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s greats. “After the first set, I realized what I was doing wasn’t working, so I had to change something,” Andreeva told reporters post-match. “In the second set, I tried to play a little bit more aggressive, but I didn’t try to overhit her because I don’t think anyone can overhit Aryna.”

Despite her defeat, Sabalenka remains a formidable force on the tour, with her powerful game expected to rebound as the season progresses. “I was me against me,” Sabalenka reflected. “I made a lot of unforced errors on important points and just let her play a little bit better.”

As Andreeva lifted the championship trophy, the tennis world took notice of a new era dawning. With her poise, talent, and unrelenting determination, the 17-year-old has announced herself as a serious contender for major titles in the years to come. For now, she reigns as the queen of the desert, leaving Indian Wells with a historic victory and a growing legion of fans eager to see what’s next.