Staff Reporter.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 in the Dubai Championships on Saturday to earn the biggest title of her career.
The victory will earn Andreeva her debut in the top 10 of the rankings next week — the first 17-year-old to achieve that since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.
It caps quite a week for Andreeva, who also had wins over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, five-time major champion Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to become the youngest player to defeat three major champions at a single event since Maria Sharapova at the 2004 WTA Finals. She also became the youngest player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 event.
Andreeva’s only other title was the Iasi Open in Romania last year.
On Monday, Andreeva will become the first 17-year-old to be ranked in the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.
Meanwhile Andrey Rublev fought off Jack Draper 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 on Saturday to win the Qatar Open.
Rublev regained a title he previously won in 2020.
“It feels amazing,” said the Russian on court at the end. “It’s my first ever title that I won twice.”
Both men had battled to the final with demanding victories in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
“I think both of us were really tired after two three-set matches that finished late,” said Rublev. “We were exhausted and it was difficult, but somehow we were able to play at a good level.”