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Andreeva beats Sabalenka at Indian Wells, Draper wins men's title

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Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva came back to beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday to make the 17-year-old the tournament's youngest champion since Serena Williams in 1999.

The 11th-ranked Andreeva improved to 19-3 this season - the most wins by a woman on tour - and collected her second WTA 1000 title of 2025. The other came at Dubai in February, which earned her a top-10 ranking for the first time. Andreeva will return to that upper tier in Monday's WTA rankings.

Mira Andreeva celebrates with her trophy after winning the women's title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, U.S., March 16, 2025. /VCG
Mira Andreeva celebrates with her trophy after winning the women's title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, U.S., March 16, 2025. /VCG

Mira Andreeva celebrates with her trophy after winning the women's title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, U.S., March 16, 2025. /VCG

After dropping the first set against the Belarusian, Andreeva put her body into the windup after grabbing a ball, then angrily smacked it toward the stands.

The teenager played much better in the second set, particularly on serve, while compiling a 17-7 edge in winners. Soon enough, that set belonged to her when she hit an ace to hold at love for the first time all day.

In the third set, the teenager got started in the best way possible, breaking the big-serving Sabalenka at love. Andreeva took a 1-0 lead in the third with a too-strong passing shot that Sabalenka could barely even get her racket on. She then ended the match with one last forehand winner, then dropped to her knees and covered her face with both hands.

Andreeva is the first player under age 18 to beat the women ranked No. 1 and No. 2 at the same WTA tournament since Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis at the 1999 U.S. Open. She is also the youngest to win a WTA trophy by defeating the woman ranked No. 1 in a final since Maria Sharapova beat Davenport at Tokyo in 2005

Jack Draper celebrates with his trophy after winning the men's title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, U.S., March 16, 2025. /VCG
Jack Draper celebrates with his trophy after winning the men's title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, U.S., March 16, 2025. /VCG

Jack Draper celebrates with his trophy after winning the men's title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, U.S., March 16, 2025. /VCG

In the men's final later Sunday, 13th-seeded Jack Draper of Britain defeated 12th-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark 6-2, 6-2 to earn his first Masters 1000 championship. Draper, who is 23, upset two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals on Saturday.

The left-handed Draper, a U.S. Open semifinalist in September, improved to 13-2 this year and will make his debut in the ATP's top 10 on Monday.

Draper was rock-solid in his first Masters 1000 final, racing to a 4-0 lead as Rune made a nervous start. The Briton dropped just four points on serve in the opening set as Rune had 10 of his 19 unforced errors in the set.

The Dane had managed to hold serve twice before Draper pocketed the set, giving himself set point with an ace before Rune thumped a backhand into the net.

Draper broke Rune to open the second set, and even though the Dane got a few more looks at Draper's second serve he couldn't take advantage.

Draper seized a second break for a 5-2 lead and after sending a forehand long on his first match point he had the win when Rune went long with a backhand.

Source(s): AP ,AFP
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