WTA DUBAI. By Emiliano Naftali
Mirra Andreeva made history by becoming the youngest player to claim a WTA 1000 title after the 17-year-old won the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Russian beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 and her victory means she will next week climb into the top 10 for the first time.Still just 17 years and 299 days old, Andreeva also climbs into the top 10 of the world rankings with the win, becoming the youngest player to reach those heights since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.
Andreeva defeated Grand Slam winners Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina on her way to the final.
“I’d set a goal for myself to be in top 10 by the end of the year,” she said.
“Last but not least, I would like to thank me,” she said smiling as the crowd laughed. “I know what I have been dealing with and I just want to thank me for always believing in me.”
“Now it’s the end of February and I’ve already made it, so this is something incredible for me.”