DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Coming again to Dubai has a brand new feeling for Mirra Andreeva.
Then simply 17 years previous, she notched her assertion win final season right here on the WTA Tour Pushed by Mercedes-Benz on the Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships, defeating Clara Tauson 7-6 (1), 6-1 within the remaining — her second of now 4 titles.
Andreeva grew to become the youngest participant to win a WTA 1000 crown, and propelled into the highest 10 of the PIF WTA Rankings that following Monday, a place she nonetheless stays in a single yr later. Now, she’s again, having fun with the defending champion standing, the added fame and the reminiscences she made 12 months in the past.
“In comparison with final yr — clearly now those who perhaps are staying right here as a result of they see faces of gamers — they acknowledge me extra,” Andreeva, 18, mentioned Sunday throughout media day in Dubai. “I do not thoughts. I form of like the eye from individuals, from media. I do not thoughts when that occurs.”
“It additionally feels particular after I got here to the lodge and I noticed my face. It is simply good to see that. That additionally form of provides me extra motivation to attempt to play nicely right here and perhaps to attempt to defend the title. Once I come subsequent yr, my face is there once more.”
Her success in Dubai final yr did not cease there as she gained the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells a number of weeks later. Final month, she dominated the Adelaide Worldwide discipline, capped off with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Victoria Mboko to attain her first WTA 500 victory.
That was their first ever assembly on the WTA Tour, however their rematch did not take too lengthy to return to fruition. On the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha final week, the draw pressured the 2 youngsters to fulfill within the Spherical of 16.
Mboko prevailed in that match, an exhilarating 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory, however for Andreeva, the defeat was a troublesome one, particularly having a match level the place she double faulted. Andreeva mentioned she did take solace in the truth that Mboko finally progressed to the ultimate.
“That match was one thing,” Andreeva mentioned. “It was very fascinating to play in opposition to her. I caught myself that I used to be really feeling a number of adrenaline, a number of pleasure within the third set through the match. That does not occur usually. I really loved the match lots.
“I do not lose a number of matches from having a match level too, in order that was additionally a bit of bit difficult to deal with after the match. If I have been to lose, I do not thoughts dropping to somebody who could be taking part in the ultimate. Now I’ve to deal with what is going on to occur right here and my matches in Dubai. We lose each week. It is simply necessary on the way you deal with these losses and the way you head into the following match.”
Satirically, the 2 stars may meet once more within the Spherical of 16 in Dubai, too.
The No. 5 seed on this yr’s version, Andreeva can have a bye into the second spherical and awaits the winner of Laura Siegemund and Daria Kasatkina. Regardless of being the defending champion, Andreeva is aware of it is a new match with completely different circumstances, and he or she’s anxious to get on the court docket right here in Dubai.
“I am simply tremendous excited to play right here,” Andreeva mentioned. “Clearly I will do all the pieces I can to attempt to defend the title as a result of that is the primary time I come to the match as a defending champion. It is also one thing new for me. I am unable to wait to play my first match right here and we’ll see the way it goes.”
