17-year-old Mirra Andreeva wins Dubai, makes Top 10 debut

DUBAI—Mirra Andreeva captured the biggest title of her young career on Saturday, defeating Clara Tauson, 7-6 (1), 6-1 to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

As a WTA 1000 tournament, Dubai is one level below a Grand Slam tournament and at 17, the 12th-seeded Andreeva became the youngest to win one since the format was introduced. The win also guarantees a she will become the youngest Top 10 player since 2007 after defeating Tauson in one hour and 46 minutes on Center Court.

Andreeva and Tauson were meeting for the first time after each making strong starts to the 2025 season. Andreeva made a second straight fourth round at the Australian Open while Tauson kicked off the year with a third career title at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Both women shook off subpar finishes at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open to play some of their best tennis in Dubai, Andreeva defeating three Grand Slam champions—including word No. 2 Iga Swiatek—to put herself on the precipice of the Top 10. Tauson backed up her win over Sabalenka with an equally impressive semifinal performance against Karolina Muchova, defeating the 2023 Roland Garros finalist in three physical sets.

Despite winning five matches in five days, Tauson looked no worse for wear as the championship match got underway, breaking serve in the second game of the match and breaking Andreeva as the youngster served for the first set.

Once in a tiebreaker, Andreeva unleashed as she raced through the first six points, tracking a Tauson drop shot to earn a slew of set point. Tauson got on the board when Andreeva erred off the backhand side, but the teen wrapped up the 60-minute set the very next point.

Tauson struggled to match Andreeva’s consistency in the second set, tossing her racquet in disgust when Andreeva held to open. Tracking a drop shot and putting away a tough overhead, Andreeva was soon at break point in the fourth game, converting with a backhand winner.

She saved three break points the following game—two with strong serves, another with a backhand winner—and moved within two games of the title as the match ticked past the 90-minute mark.

Andreeva secured a double-break lead with another overhead and was soon up three championship point. Tauson saved one but couldn't save a second as Andreeva celebrated a milestone victory in Dubai.