The 19-year-old saved all six break points she faced, including four in the last game. It was the seventh time this season he served in a game.
“Honestly, I feel like I haven’t had many Top 10 wins this season. It’s very nice to finally have (another one),” Andreeva told reporters. “But I’m very happy that I was able to win against such an experienced player.”
How Andreeva defeated Svitolina
Andreeva broke 3-2 in the first set with Svitolina’s double fault. That was enough. he won 13 of his 15 first-serve points in the set and saved a break point when he served it out for 5-4.
Svitolina did not hold serve again. Andreeva broke her 3 times in the second set, then saved four break points in the final game before winning her first match point.
The Ukrainian won just 15 of his 28 first serve points and failed to convert any of his six break points. Andreeva took her four.
A rare top-10 win
Andreeva now leads Svitolina 2-1 after losing at the Australian Open in January.
Svitolina won the WTA finals in 2018. The age difference between them, 12 years and 229 days, was the largest at the event since Venus Williams played Caroline Garcia in 2017.
In the current season, Andreeva has won 51 matches at the tour level. Only Elena Rybakina won more, 54. The 200-point victory cut Sabalenka’s lead over her in the race for the year-end No. 2 ranking to 179 points.
Next is Sabalenka
Andreeva is playing Arina Sabalenka next. Sabalenka leads them 4-2, but Andreeva won their last meeting in the 2025 Indian Wells final.
After defeating Svitolina, she asked her coach Conchita Martinez for extra time on the practice court. “I think it’s the first time I asked Conchita to go to the practice court,” Andreeva said. “I just wanted to clean up my shots. I wanted to serve a little. I just wanted to feel a little more free on the court, and that was the goal.”
WTA Finals Group 2: Provisional Standings
| Player: | Wins and losses | Sets | Games: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mirra Andreeva (RUSSIA) | 1-0 | 2-0 | 12-4: |
| 2. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) | 1-0 | 2-0 | 14-11: |
| 3. Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic) | 0-1 | 0-2 | 11-14: |
| 4. Elina Svitolina (UKR) | 0-1 | 0-2 | 4-12: |
Sabalenka in the other Group 2 match on Monday Defeated Karolina Muchova 7-6 (2), 7-5. The top two advance to the semifinals on Saturday. Andreeva will play Sabalenka and Muchova in her next two matches.