Martina Navratilova explains what Mirra Andreeva did in the Indian Wells final which left Aryna Sabalenka completely shocked

Follow us on Google Discover

It is not often that Aryna Sabalenka struggles to hit through her opponent, but that was the case with Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells.

The World number one was searching for her first title at the WTA 1000 tournament while the Russian was trying to claim her second successive title at this level.

Aryna Sabalenka made a commanding start by taking the first set, but her 17-year-old soon came roaring back.

Mirra Andreeva was able to sustain that momentum through the next two sets and complete a superb comeback victory and record a 12th successive win.

Martina Navratilova explains what Mirra Andreeva did to shock Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells

Andreeva continues to play beyond her years as she became the new Indian Wells champion.

The teenager is the youngest woman to win the title there since the iconic Serena Williams claimed the crown aged 17 in 1999.

After comprehensively losing the first set, Andreeva took a toilet break, came back rejuvenated and completed a comeback victory with excellent defensive skills and great touch around the net.

This impressed 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, who told Sky Sports that Andreeva’s game plan shocked Sabalenka, who had answers for it.

“Andreeva’s defensive ability, she got so many more balls back than Sabalenka was expecting and then she can turn it into offence as well with her down the lines.

“Aryna looked like this is not the woman I beat twice easily this year. Sabalenka didn’t play badly, she played well and she was still getting beaten so she will be scratching her head.”

Mirra Andreeva reacts after winning the Indian Wells title

Andreeva has sent a statement to the rest of the WTA Tour by claiming her second successive title.

She now has two WTA 1000 titles in addition to a Grand Slam semi-final appearance at the 2024 French Open.

Andreeva is the third youngest player to defeat the top-ranked player in a WTA final from a set down, and she was delighted with her performance.

“I would again like to thank myself for fighting until the end and for always believing in me and for never quitting,” Andreeva said during the trophy presentation.

“I tried to run like a rabbit today. It was really hard to just keep up, so I just tried my best and that’s why I would thank myself, because I think I played a little part also.”