Mirra Andreeva is turning her attention to the WTA Finals following a recent controversy involving Jessica Pegula and coach Conchita Martinez. The third-seeded teenager faces a challenging group stage draw at Indian Wells, where she is grouped alongside Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Muchova, and Elina Svitolina.
Curiosity About Facing Sabalenka
Speaking to Carson Branstine on the Big T Podcast, Andreeva admitted she did not have a specific preference for her group opponents because every match at the tournament will be extremely difficult. However, she expressed a strong desire to test herself against Sabalenka on the court.
“Honestly, I didn’t actually know who I want to see in my group because I know no matter who will be there I’m going to really have to bring the best tennis I have and try to beat every single person that is there, because I know it is going to be extremely hard,” Andreeva told Carson Branstine on the Big T Podcast.
“But I am very, very curious to see how I am going to play against Aryna because we played last year the final of Indian Wells on these courts, so I’m just very curious to see how maybe we’ve both changed and how maybe the match is going to look like,” Andreeva added.
Sabalenka currently holds a 4-2 head-to-head record against the young Russian player, with victories at the 2023 Madrid Open, 2024 Madrid Open, 2025 Brisbane International, and the 2025 Australian Open. Meanwhile, Andreeva claimed victory in their most recent encounter, defeating the former world number one 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the 2025 Indian Wells final.
Opening Matches at the Finals
Sabalenka and Andreeva will have to wait until later in the week for their seventh career meeting, as both players begin their tournament campaigns on Monday. Sabalenka is scheduled to face Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova at 12 PM local time, while Andreeva will take on Elina Svitolina in the match immediately following.
A victory for Andreeva would also keep alive hopes of ending a long drought for Russian tennis at the prestigious end-of-year event. More than two decades have passed since a Russian player last triumphed at the tournament, when a teenage Maria Sharapova famously came from behind to defeat Serena Williams 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 in the 2004 final.
