Mirra Andreeva, 17, Becomes the Youngest WTA 1000 Tournament Winner

Mirra Andreeva, 17, defeated Clara Tauson 7-6(1), 6-1 in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday, becoming the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 championship. With the victory, Andreeva also breaks into the top 10 in the global rankings, making her the youngest player to do so since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.

In the final, the Russian player defeated Tauson, 22, 7-6 (1), 6-1, in one hour and forty-six minutes. She sank to her knees in excitement before getting up to thank the audience.

Additionally, Andreeva set a new record as the second youngster, male or female, to win the Dubai event since its beginning in 1993, following Rafa Nadal in 2006.

Sheikha Latifa presents the winner’s trophy to Mirra Andreeva of Russia following the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship final match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as Clara Tauson of Denmark, the runner-up, stands to the left.

Andreeva defeated world No. 7 Elena Rybakina in the semifinals after defeating five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek in the quarterfinals, while Tauson eliminated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.

In the final, the two were initially evenly matched. After making two straight double faults in her opening service game, Andreeva gave up a break right away, but she rallied and won the set with a strong effort in the tiebreak.

Andreeva appeared more confident after winning the opening set, defending three break points to solidify her own break at 3-1 and then winning all the games that followed to complete the triumph.