At just 17 years old, Mirra Andreeva delivered a career-defining performance in the 2025 Indian Wells final, stunning world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set comeback. The young Russian showcased remarkable resilience, tactical brilliance, and fearless shot-making to claim her second WTA 1000 title in just two weeks, marking her arrival among the sport’s elite. Here’s our extensive match report.
A Fast Start from Sabalenka Under the California Sun
Mirra Andreeva wasted no time making her presence felt in the 2025 Indian Wells final. Under the sun-soaked California sky, she opened the match with a delicate drop shot, securing the first point on Aryna Sabalenka’s serve. A double fault followed, but the world No.1 quickly recovered, fending off Andreeva’s aggressive play to take the opening game in style.
Would the teenager feel the pressure? An ace for 40-15 suggested otherwise, and within minutes, the score was level at 1-1.
Sabalenka, however, began to show early signs of frustration. A headshake after falling 0-30 down on serve in the third game, a deep sigh at 15-40—yet Andreeva couldn’t convert. A stunning defensive forehand gave her another chance, but a careless backhand slice into the net let the opportunity slip. The Belarusian soon regained control, edging ahead 1-2 with an ace and a mistimed return from Andreeva.
The match quickly turned into a power struggle. Andreeva briefly worried Sabalenka in the fourth game, but the world No.1 immediately struck back, upping the intensity to reclaim the lead at 1-4.
Facing mounting pressure, Andreeva managed to hold serve for 2-4, but the momentum remained with Sabalenka. A crucial seventh game saw the Belarusian assert herself, taking advantage of a rattled Andreeva, who slammed her racket to the ground in frustration.
With another dominant return game, Sabalenka closed out the set 2-6, putting herself firmly in control of the final.
Andreeva Strikes Back in a Gutsy Second Set
Despite the first-set loss, Andreeva refused to back down. Just 43 minutes into the match, she earned two breakpoints in the opening game of the second set. But once again, Sabalenka’s serve proved unshakable. Andreeva had now squandered six break chances, while the world No.1 had needed only three to break twice.
The game wasn’t over, though. A loose shot from Sabalenka handed Andreeva yet another opportunity. This time, the Belarusian barely survived, forcing deuce with a booming serve and eventually holding.
As the match heated up, Andreeva’s mental resilience came into focus. An overhead smash led commentators to question whether she was rattled, but two consecutive aces silenced any doubts. At 1-1, the teenager was still in the fight.
If only she could capitalize on a big moment. Up 15-30 on Sabalenka’s serve, Andreeva sent a moonball soaring—15-40! The crowd, subdued until now, erupted in support. A second serve. A thunderous return. Suddenly, the 17-year-old was back in business, breaking for 2-1.
When confidence meets adrenaline, anything is possible. Three commanding points—two from delicate drop shots, one from a stunning ace—helped Andreeva extend the lead to 3-1.
Sabalenka, now trailing, responded with a determined hold, keeping herself in the contest at 3-2. But the tide had shifted. A gritty service hold from Andreeva for 4-2 sent a clear message: she was here to fight.
For the first time, it felt like the teenager was dictating play. She carved out a 0-30 lead on Sabalenka’s serve, only for the world No.1 to claw her way back. At 15-30, a tense cross-court battle ended with a brilliant Andreeva winner. Deuce. Andreeva earned a set point but was denied by a massive Sabalenka serve. Another followed, but Sabalenka kept Andreeva in touching distance. Finally, at 5-4, Andreeva produced her most dominant service game of the match—racing to 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, and sealing it with an ace.
6-4. One set apiece. The final was alive. Mirra Andreeva stood up from the dead.
Sabalenka Crumbles as Andreeva Completes the Comeback
The deciding set saw a complete shift in momentum. Sabalenka, usually the mental fortress on court, began to show cracks.
Andreeva stormed to 0-40 on Sabalenka’s serve—winning eight consecutive points. Moments later, the teenager secured an early break, taking a 1-0 lead and leaving the crowd buzzing about a possible upset.
Still, Sabalenka refused to go quietly. Down 30-0 on Andreeva’s serve, she forced errors to bring it back to 30-all. A missed backhand from the Belarusian gifted Andreeva a game point for 2-0, but she couldn’t take it. Moments later, a wayward moonball from Sabalenka resulted in an improbable break back.
1-1 in the deciding set. The question remained: could Andreeva recover from the setback?
She could—and did. The teenager clawed her way to 30-all in the next game, while Sabalenka, now screaming on every point, fought to stay composed. But Andreeva was unfazed, pouncing on a short ball with a brilliant cross-court winner. Deuce. With Sabalenka seemingly struggling abit more under the desert sun, Andreeva capitalized on a second breakpoint. A backhand clipping the net cord and bouncing out handed the Russian a crucial 2-1 lead, which she extended with a confident hold for 3-1.
A net retrieval helped Sabalenka hold for 3-2, but the match was slipping away. Andreeva was the fresher player, her court coverage impeccable. A flawless love hold pushed her ahead 5-3.
Sabalenka had no margin for error. But as the pressure mounted, Andreeva refused to let go. At 15-30, the teenager retrieved an impossible shot, forcing a crucial Sabalenka error. Match point.
One last rally. A bullet forehand. Andreeva sank to her knees. Mirra Andreeva had done it. She was the 2025 Indian Wells champion, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
A Defining Moment in Andreeva’s Career
For Mirra Andreeva, this was more than just a title—it was a statement. Defeating the world No.1 in a Masters 1000 final at just 17 years old signaled her arrival among the sport’s elite. And this wasn’t just a one-off—she had already taken down Rybakina and Swiatek on her way to the trophy.
Her fearless shot-making, tactical intelligence, and unwavering resilience stunned even the most seasoned tennis observers. She absorbed Sabalenka’s firepower, weathered the storm, and responded with a level of authority far beyond her years.
With this triumph, Andreeva not only lifted her first WTA 1000 trophy but also solidified herself as a future Grand Slam contender.
The California desert had witnessed something special. A star had been born. Mirra Andreeva is here to stay—the tennis rabbit.
Match Stats 2025 Indian Wells Final Aryna Sabalenka v Mirra Andreeva
| Stat | Sabalenka | Andreeva |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.87 | 1.15 |
| Serve Rating | 241 | 265 |
| Aces | 1 | 6 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 60% | 68% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 64% | 70% |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 46% | 46% |
| Break Points Saved | 69% | 50% |
| Service Games Won | 71% | 77% |
| Return Rating | 157 | 150 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 30% | 36% |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 54% | 54% |
| Break Points Won | 50% | 31% |
| Return Games Won | 23% | 29% |
| Total Points Won | 48% | 52% |
| Match Duration | 2h 06m |