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Key events
Andreeva races into the stands to celebrate with her entourage. A dejected Svitolina sits and texts from courtside.
Mirra Andreeva wins the WTA Finals
Svitolina seemed to have that point in hand, and she had an opportunity for a smash to make it 40-30. She smashed it into the net. That’ll be all.
One point saved, as Andreeva hits long.
Triple match point
Make it 0-40, as Andreeva returns well and Svitolina errs again.
Given how long Svitolina’s service games have been going, we’ll go with more frequent updates here.
Or maybe we won’t need to. Svitolina comes out misfiring and is down 0-30.
Second set: Andreeva 7-5 5-3 Svitolina* (*next server)
The shadow from the stands is now covering most of one half of the court and part of the other.
Svitolina is emoting with every attempt at a winner, like Clubber Lang desperately trying to knock out Rocky Balboa. It’s not working. Andreeva mixes in a drop shot and finishes the game with a deft crosscourt winner.
Second set: *Andreeva 7-5 4-3 Svitolina (*next server)
We’re past the 90-minute mark in this match, but Svitolina suddenly looks less tired than she did when this set started. She takes the first two points convincingly. Andreeva rips one past her for 30-15, and Svitolina hits wide for 30-all. Svitolina’s next serve hits the center of the net, but she shows her backhand power once again to get to 40-30.
But Svitolina can’t seem to string together a long run of good shots, and she once again lets her frustration show after hitting into the net and bringing the game to deuce. She hits wide, and Andreeva has break point.
Svitolina hits the center of the net with another first serve, and Andreeva pounces on the second. But Svitolina makes it a long rally, and Andreeva misses on a forehand. Deuce #2!
Ill-timed double fault. Break point. Service winner, with Andreeva’s return going into orbit. Deuce #3.
The next point is Andreeva’s best defensive point of the match. She races down every powerful would-be Svitolina winner, then perfectly anticipates Svitolina’s drop shot. Break point. Svitolina responds with a winner. Deuce #4.
Svitolina can’t cope with a return that lands awkwardly at her feet. Break point. Andreeva’s return goes wide – seemed like a late call, but the animation doesn’t lie. (Does it?) Deuce #5.
First serve into the net, and Svitolina’s body language is basically a complaint. Andreeva hits long, though, and it’s finally advantage Svitolina.
Double fault. Deuce #6.
Svitolina runs Andreeva all over the court and finally elicits an error. Ad Svitolina.
And finally Andreeva makes one too many errors, slamming a shot well wide.
Routine hold, right?
If Svitolina manages to come back and win this one, circle this game as the place where she dug in her heels.
Second set: Andreeva 7-5 4-2 Svitolina* (*next server)
Will we finally see a routine hold of serve? Andreeva races out to a 40-15 edge, and … Svitolina hits wide. Routine at last.
Second set: *Andreeva 7-5 3-2 Svitolina (*next server)
Svitolina is cruising toward the most routine hold of serve in this match until hitting one into the net to make it 40-15. After a couple of loud backhands don’t dislodge Andreeva, Svitolina hits long. 40-30. Svitolina hits deep and rushes the net, but Andreeva’s return forces an awkward volley that goes a mile wide. Deuce.
The teenager is playing with such poise, and she again outlasts a visibly frustrated Svitolina in a rally to earn break point. Then she puts one deep into the corner, and Svitolina’s lunging return barely reaches the net. Break.
Second set: Andreeva 7-5 2-2 Svitolina* (*next server)
Andreeva places a couple of shots just inside the lines to take the first point. Svitolina whacks one into the net for 30-0, but she comes back with three devastating shots, with the third one forcing Andreeva to hit a few inches long. Svitolina patiently waits for an Andreeva error to make it 30-30, but Andreeva responds with a blistering ace, then sees a Svitolina shot land at her feet and out. That’s a hold.
Second set: *Andreeva 7-5 1-2 Svitolina (*next server)
A clever Andreeva shot gets past Svitolina at the net, but Svitolina calmly takes the next three points and puts a shot close to Andreeva’s body to force an error and hold serve.
Second set: Andreeva 7-5 1-1 Svitolina* (*next server)
But the momentum swings haven’t subsided just yet. Andreeva struggles with her serve and falls behind 15-30, then 30-40. Svitolina hits just long, sending us to deuce. Andreeva hits just long, and it’s another break point. A forehand winner into the shadow now covering one corner of the court brings it to deuce again. Svitolina again sets up break point, this time with a backhand winner. A long Andreeva return wrong-foots Svitolina, and her shot sails into the sky. Deuce #3.
Svitolina forces Andreeva to chase and hit long. Break point. Svitolina returns wide. Deuce #4.
Andreeva falters again. Break point. Svitolina hits into the net. Deuce #5. Glad I don’t have dinner plans.
Beautiful cross-court backhand from Svitolina. Break point. Svitolina returns long. Deuce #6.
Andreeva has a shot that hits the net cord and takes an unfriendly fall on her side of the net. Break point. This time, Andreeva hits well long. Break.
We’re back on serve, which in this match seems to mean nothing.
Second set: *Andreeva 7-5 1-0 Svitolina (*next server)
Everyone is back and ready for Set 2 except Svitolina, who steps away from the court for a bit. She returns but doesn’t look entirely comfortable. Not that 32 is old by elite athlete standards, but any onlooker would easily guess which player is a teenager. (Svitolina also is a mom, having a child with French veteran Gaël Monfils. They announced their separation last month.)
And Svitolina looks considerably less sharp in the second set opener, once again giving up triple break point. An Andreeva error is only a brief respite, and Set 2 starts with a break.
Andreeva wins first set 7-5
Andreeva races out to take the first two points, but Svitolina is teed up for an emphatic smash for 30-15. Andreeva takes the next, and it’s double set point.
Make it set point, as Andreeva double-faults again.
This time, her serve arcs in neatly, and she calmly hangs through a rally before a rash Svitolina shot goes wide. One set down.
First set: *Andreeva 6-5 Svitolina (*next server)
Now Andreeva has the chip on her shoulder, and she sends Svitolina from side to side to go up 15-0. Svitolina arcs a shot over the net that Andreeva could smash but instead decides to hit a nifty drop shot. Svitolina manages to return it, but Andreeva simply taps it into empty space for 0-30.
An epic rally seems to be going toward a triple break point for Andreeva, but Svitolina hits a picture-perfect passing shot to take one back.
Then a dazzling exchange, with both players lunching close to the net. Andreeva gets the last word with a shot that takes a slight bounce on the top of the net before falling over. Double break point.
But the first one is squandered. Andreeva seems to have the court at her mercy but hits it long. Fault Svitolina, and Andreeeva hits the second serve aggressively. A deft cut forces Svitolina to scramble forward, and her cross-court attempt hits the net. Andreeva breaks back and will again serve for the set.
First set: Andreeva 5-5 Svitolina* (*next server)
The cry of “fault” echoes through Indian Wells as Andreeva double-faults to fall behind 0-30. She regains her form to get one back but hits wide on the next point, and Svitolina will once again have a chance to get back on serve.
Andreeva hits long, and it’s another stunning reversal of momentum.
First set: *Andreeva 5-4 Svitolina (*next server)
Every time Svitolina falls behind, she seems to find another power level. After two brief rallies, she’s up 30-0. An error makes it 30-15, and a serve goes wide, but Svitolina patiently takes the next point and hits a good forehand winner to hold.
Andreeva to serve for the set.
First set: Andreeva 5-3 Svitolina* (*next server)
Excellent game.
Svitolina bounces back with a forehand winner but deposits a backhand into the net for 15-15. She paints the line with a forehand but again rips a shot into the net for 30-30. A dazzling rally follows, and Svitolina’s forehand is again decisive. Break point.
But Andreeva rips a 119-mph shot straight toward Svitolina’s body, and Svitolina can only swat it defensively into the stands. Deuce.
Andreeva barely misses down the line. Another break point for Svitolina, but it’s another aggressive serve from the youngster to fend it off. Deuce #2.
Wide again from Andreeva, this one not as close, and Svitolina gets her third opportunity to break back. But Andreeva forces Svitolina to chase wide for a lunging backhand, and it comes back over the net just waiting for an easy putaway. Deuce #3.
Andreeva finally seizes the advantage, and the chance is slipping away from Svitolina. She hits into the net, and the chance is gone.
First set: *Andreeva 4-3 Svitolina (*next server)
Replay of the first game, much like the way the Carmina Burana song cycle returns to O Fortuna at the end. Svitolina quickly falls behind 0-40, and this time, she drops the next point as well. Andreeva is up a break again.
First set: Andreeva 3-3 Svitolina* (*next server)
Svitolina continues to launch fearsome backhand after fearsome backhand, but Andreeva simply absorbs the pressure and benefits as Svitolina hits a couple wide. It’s 40-15, then a comfortable hold.
First set: *Andreeva 2-3 Svitolina (*next server)
Svitolina shows some impressive wheels to cover the other side of the court after Andreeva forces her into a corner, but her return sits nicely for an Andreeva smash. But Svitolina battles to 30-15, and Andreeva hits a return long. She nearly hits long on the next one, but the in-stadium video shows the animation proving the shot just grazed the back of the line. She’s not as fortunate on the next rally, hitting into the net, and that’s three straight for Svitolina.
First set: Andreeva 2-2 Svitolina* (*next server)
Svitolina hits a relentless succession of backhands to take the first point, but she dumps one into the net to even things out. Andreeva struggles with her serve and then hits a shot wide. Two points later, it’s break point for Svitolina.
Long rally again. Svitolina forced Andreeva to scramble, then crashes the net for a well-placed cross-court winner to level the set.
First set: *Andreeva 2-1 Svitolina (*next server)
Svitolina elicits a couple of mistakes from Andreeva, then breathes a sigh of relief as an Andreeva lob goes a hair too far. Andreeva pulls one back, then bravely hits a drop shot in front of the onrushing Svitolina, who can only put it in the net. 40-30.
It’s all power from Svitolina so far, as she frequently leaves her feet on her follow-through, but she shows great accuracy with a winner down the line to close out the game.
First set: Andreeva 2-0 Svitolina* (*next server)
Andreeva takes the first point with a service winner but sends a wild shot wide for 15-15. An unforced error for Svitolina makes it 30-15. In the next rally, Svitolina blasts a crosscourt show with power but not precision, and it’s wide. Andreeva holds with an ace.
First set: Andreeva* 1-0 Svitolina (*next server)
Svitolina quickly drops two points and then sprays a shot wide to give Andreeva three break opportunities. Andreeva hits long on the first. Svitolina misses her first serve, takes her second one despite an emergency vehicle siren in the distance, and it’s a let. She lands the second one, and we have our longest rally so far. Svitolina slowly but surely takes control, and the 19-year-old Andreeva hits just wide.
Now back to 30-40, Svitolina unleashes the fury, with a succession of powerful shots that keep Andreeva on her heels until she returns well long for deuce.
But Andreeva perfectly places a shot down the line to set up her fourth break point, and Svitolina hits into the net after a short rally.
Break.
Svitolina serves … and we’re off …
Idea for the incoming US Congress: Legislation requiring professional and college sports events to start on the hour. End the pregame stuff on the hour. Not pregame leading to more pregame.
I’d expect rare bipartisan support.
Andreeva’s walkout music wants to be the Darude classic Sandstorm but is not.
Apparently, the start of this match isn’t that imminent. We’re seeing footage of players loading gear into cars, and we can only hope that was pre-taped.
Ah, there we are – Svitolina is taking the court. On foot, not in the car.
Weather: There’s a great episode of the sitcom Sports Night called “It Can’t Rain At Indian Wells.” And that’s the case today. As Randy Newman sang in I Love LA, looks like another perfect day. Low to mid 20s Celsius (Fahrenheit conversion: pleasant).
Also today is the WTA Finals doubles … well, final. What do you call the final of the Finals? Metafinals? Superfinals?
US player Taylor Townsend and Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova will face the Italian duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini. That’s coming up after the singles final, which is imminent.
Head-to-head
Until this week, Andreeva and Svitolina had an even head-to-head record with one win each:
March 2025: At Indian Wells (today’s venue, coincidentally), Andreeva won their first matchup 7-5, 6-3.
January 2026: Svitolina knocked Andreeva out of the Australian Open round of 16 by a 6-2, 6-4 score.
Nov. 9: In round-robin play, Andreeva won rather comfortably – 6-4, 6-0.
Preamble
If you like off-court drama, this is the tournament for you.
Coco Gauff expressed but then clarified some reservations about the format, a round-robin leading to knockout play.
Jessica Pegula was caught on a hot mic griping that Mirra Andreeva was a “diva” who “needs to be humbled.”
Pegula apologized, then did not deliver said humbling, losing to Andreeva 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals.
And now our final pits Andreeva, the latest teen phenom in a sport that seems to produce a new one every few months, against Elina Svitolina. Important note: Svitolina is from Ukraine. Andreeva is from … well, you can probably guess, even if you didn’t read the note below about Andreeva’s compatriot Aryna Sabalenka and her apology to Svitolina.
Who will win this season-closer? Who will apologize to whom? Will Andreeva add to her trophy case after her breakthrough major at Roland Garros earlier this year? Follow along to find out.
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s how the semi-finals went:
The rise of Mirra Andreeva has seemed inevitable ever since she burst on to the tour as a precocious 15-year-old more than three years ago, but this week, six months after her maiden grand slam triumph at Roland Garros, she has taken another massive step forward in her career. The 19-year-old will attempt to close out the most impressive week of her career by winning one of her most significant titles after thoroughly outplaying Jessica Pegula, the fifth seed, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the championship match of the WTA Finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
A year ago, Andreeva surprisingly failed to qualify for the WTA Finals, missing out by a paltry six points after bizarrely deciding not to compete in the final tournament week before the event. The world No 3 has been utterly supreme in her long-awaited debut appearance, bulldozing through elite opposition to reach the final without dropping a set. She has conceded just 18 games in four matches this week, including a 6-4, 6-0 demolition of the No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, winning 11 games in succession from 1-4 down.
Andreeva will rise to No 2 in the WTA rankings for the first time in her career on Monday regardless of the outcome here. The world No 1, Elena Rybakina, and Sabalenka, who drops to No 3, will both be defending a large number of points at the Australian Open after Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in this year’s final. This means the No 1 ranking will almost certainly be a realistic target for Andreeva at the start of the 2027 season, particularly if she closes out this imperious week with a title.
The Russian will face Elina Svitolina after the Ukrainian dominated the Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the second semi-final, rolling to a 6-2, 6-1 win. Svitolina, who also beat Sabalenka this week, will be attempting to win the WTA Finals for a second time after first lifting the trophy in 2018. This will be a rematch of their encounter earlier this week during the group stage, which Andreeva easily won 6-4, 6-0.
Elsewhere, Sabalenka issued a public apology on Saturday after being accused of making offensive remarks towards Svitolina during Friday’s match. An angry Sabalenka was caught on camera making a comment between points, which some social media users interpreted as an offensive insult against her Ukrainian opponent.
“My comment was not directed at Elina,” Sabalenka said in a social media post.
“I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment. That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone I offended. Elina played a great match, and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament.”
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