Mirra Andreeva: A Champion Returns to Familiar Territory
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – For Mirra Andreeva, returning to Dubai isn’t just a tournament appearance; it’s a walk down memory lane. Last year, at just 17 years old, she secured a defining victory at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, defeating Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 to claim her second WTA title. This win propelled her into the top 10 of the PIF WTA Rankings, a position she continues to hold a year later.
Now 18, Andreeva is back, embracing her role as the defending champion and the increased attention that comes with it. “Compared to last year, people recognize me more,” Andreeva shared during media day. “I don’t mind. I kind of like the attention from people, from media. It also feels special when I came to the hotel and I saw my face. It’s just nice to see that. That also kind of gives me more motivation to try and play well here and maybe to try and defend the title.”
From Dubai to Indian Wells: A Year of Success
Andreeva’s success didn’t end in Dubai. She followed up with a win at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells just weeks later. More recently, she dominated the Adelaide International, defeating Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-1 to secure her first WTA 500 victory.
Lessons Learned in Doha
However, the road hasn’t been without its challenges. At the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha, Andreeva faced Mboko again in the Round of 16. This time, Mboko emerged victorious in a thrilling 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) match. Despite the loss, particularly after having a match point, Andreeva remained positive.
“That match was something,” Andreeva reflected. “It was very interesting to play against her. I caught myself that I was actually feeling a lot of adrenaline, a lot of excitement in the third set during the match. I don’t lose a lot of matches from having a match point, so that was also a little bit tricky to handle after the match. It’s just important on how you handle those losses and how you head into the next tournament.” Mboko’s subsequent run to the final provided some consolation.
Looking Ahead in Dubai
The possibility of a rematch with Mboko looms in Dubai, but Andreeva is focused on the task at hand. As the No. 5 seed, she has a bye into the second round and will face the winner of Laura Siegemund and Daria Kasatkina. She acknowledges the unique pressure of defending her title.
“I’m just super excited to play here,” Andreeva stated. “Obviously I’m going to do everything I can to try and defend the title because this is the first time I come to the tournament as a defending champion. It’s also something new for me. I can’t wait to play my first match here and we will see how it goes.”
Mirra Andreeva is poised to build on her impressive momentum, and her return to Dubai marks a significant chapter in her burgeoning career. You can follow Mirra Andreeva on Instagram for updates.
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