Sportsupdated 27m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 17 March 2008Mirra Andreeva Beats Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 to Reach WTA Finals Title Match
“They were playing each other after Pegula was overheard calling Andreeva a ‘diva’ earlier in the tournament”
“Tournament debutant Andreeva has yet to drop a set and has not lost more than four games in any of her eight sets.”
Photo: IvanAndreevich, CC BY 3.0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Andreeva defeated Pegula 6-3, 6-4 in semifinals to reach the WTA Finals final. At 19, she became the youngest finalist in 22 years at the event.
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Andreeva reaches final
Mirra Andreeva beat Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-4 in the WTA Finals semifinal in Indian Wells, California to reach the title match at the season-ending event. Andreeva, who came back from a break down in both sets, told Sky Sports, "I did not feel one bit of pressure today, I don't know why." Andreeva’s run extended to a perfect record at the tournament, with the BBC saying she had yet to drop a set and had not lost more than four games in any of her eight sets.
Andreeva will play Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova or Elina Svitolina in Sunday’s final, after Pegula’s loss ended the American’s fifth consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals. The Guardian reported that Andreeva reached the championship match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden after thoroughly outplaying Pegula 6-3, 6-4.
Hot-mic “diva” fallout
Pegula’s semifinal loss came after a controversy in Indian Wells in which Pegula was overheard calling Andreeva a "diva" during a private conversation with her coach that was picked up by tournament microphones. Pegula was heard labelling Andreeva a "diva" who "needs to be humbled" in a livestreamed practice session. Andreeva and Pegula both made light-hearted jokes about the incident this week, while the Desert Sun said the WTA later apologized to players for not informing them of that.
The Guardian said Pegula apologized and "both sides laughed off the incident" before the two players faced each other in an official match at the WTA Finals. The BBC also noted that Andreeva confirmed Pegula apologized after Pegula described her as “demanding and moody,” according to a recording captured without her knowledge by a microphone placed near one of the practice courts last week.
Final opponent and stakes
Andreeva’s semifinal win set up a final against the winner of the other semifinal between Elina Svitolina and Linda Noskova, with the BBC saying she will play Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova or 2018 WTA Finals champion Elina Svitolina. The WTA Tennis live coverage said Svitolina beat Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-1 to reach the title match, after breaking Noskova three times in the opening set and racing out to a 5-0 lead in the second. Andreeva’s victory over Pegula ensures she will finish the year as world number two, while the Guardian said she will rise to No 2 in the WTA rankings for the first time in her career on Monday regardless of the outcome here.
The Guardian also said Andreeva conceded just 18 games in four matches this week, including a 6-4, 6-0 demolition of the No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka. Andreeva saved a break point in the first set ahead 5-3 and then won the five of the final six games in the second set to secure the match in front of a capacity crowd inside Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
