In the Ningbo final of 2024, two close friends will face each other: Daria Kasatkina will play against one of the regulars in her vlog, Mirra Andreeva. Both players were leading one set to love in their semifinals and experienced some unexpected fortune as Paula Badosa and Karolina Muchova had to retire from their matches due to injuries.
For Mirra, it will be her second victory in a row due to an opponent’s injury. In addition to Muchova, Barbora Krejcikova was also forced to withdraw in the previous round due to an injury. This means this Sunday, the youngest and most promising talent from Russia will try to win her first WTA 500 final! What makes it extra special for the young Russian is that she will be facing Kasatkina.
Training and Vlogging Together
Every tournament they both participate in, they train together and often joke around. Mirra Andreeva regularly appears in Daria’s vlogs, and the chemistry between them is evident on-screen. Despite their close friendship, Daria Kasatkina and Mirra Andreeva have contrasting views on the situation in their home country. Kasatkina, who is openly gay, uses her vlog to highlight not only her personal life but also her intelligence and thoughtful perspectives. Andreeva clearly is one of her favorite sparring partners in the process. While Kasatkina cracks jokes and Andreeva happily goes along with them, there’s always an underlying tone, especially with Mirra, of someone deeply serious about her career. Suddenly, Mirra’s laughter fades, and she says something driven by her determination to reach the top. In those moments, you can witness her remarkable level of maturity for someone just 17 years old.
Season of Most Finals for Daria Kasatkina
No other season has seen Kasatkina contest more finals than in 2024. While she won in Eastbourne against Leylah Fernandez (6-6, 6-4), the finals in Seoul, Charleston, Abu Dhabi, and Adelaide slipped through her fingers. Her winning ratio in finals stands at 3-7.
Breakthrough Season for Mirra Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva on the other hand can cement 2024 as her best season ever. She beat Elina Avanesyan in Iasi in July on clay, although the Armenian had to abandon after trailing 4-0 in the third set. Only two years ago Andreeva was ranked 293th. She has now risen to 19th.
This Ningbo Open will be her second final on the WTA Tour. If the 17-yr-old wins it (as the bookies expect her to do) she will bag her first WTA 500 trophy.