Andreeva beats Pegula to reach WTA Finals final on debut

Mirra Andreeva reached the final of the WTA Finals on her debut, coming from a break down in both sets to beat American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 in 85 minutes at Indian Wells on Saturday, 14 November.

Twice behind, twice in control

Pegula broke first for 2-1 in the opening set, but Andreeva broke straight back, then broke again for 5-3 and served out the set. The second followed a similar pattern, with Pegula breaking for 3-1 before Andreeva won five of the last six games.

According to Tennis Now, Andreeva hit 17 winners to Pegula's 12 and made 26 errors to her opponent's 32. Tennis Majors reports that she converted four of her nine break points.

"Super happy with today and one last push for tomorrow."

Unbeaten in sets

Andreeva has not dropped a set this week. Tennis Majors says she has won eight sets out of eight and dropped only 18 games in four matches, and that she is the first player to reach the final without losing a set on debut in the round-robin format. She beat Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka, both 6-4, 6-0, earlier in the week.

Tennis Now notes that she is the youngest woman to reach the WTA Finals final since Maria Sharapova in 2004, and the first teenager since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009 to reach six finals in a season. Andreeva is the reigning Roland Garros champion.

Tennis Majors, citing Opta, says she is the third-youngest finalist at the event this century, behind only Sharapova in 2004 and Kim Clijsters.

Sunday's final and the diva row

Andreeva will face the winner of the other semi-final, between Svitolina and Linda Noskova, on Sunday. Tennis Now says she will finish the season as world No. 2, above Sabalenka.

The match was billed as the Diva Duel after a practice video from Indian Wells went viral last week. In it, Pegula called Andreeva a talented "diva" who needs to "be more humble". Tennis Now reports that Pegula has since apologised to Andreeva and Coco Gauff, and that all three say the matter is settled.

Tennis Majors says Pegula congratulated Andreeva at the net.

Andreeva told Tennis Channel's Tracy Austin: "I'm very happy with how I'm playing."

Can Andreeva win the title on Sunday, or will Svitolina or Noskova stop her? Tell us in the comments.