It appears there’s no stopping Mirra Andreeva in 2025 season. Having attained an 11-match win streak in last one month, the 17-year-old tennis sensation is proving her Dubai triumph was no fluke. Last month, Andreeva became the youngest WTA 1000 champion after defeating Clara Tauson in the title clash. It also helped her to break into the top 10. And now, she’s on the verge of winning a second straight trophy this season. The Russian star is set to face World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final of Indian Wells on Sunday. Ahead of the big battle, a former ATP icon and Serena Williams’ childhood coach has showered praising words on Andreeva!

Tennis Hall of Famer and legendary coach, Rick Macci, took to his X account on Sunday and highlighted the best qualities he likes in Andreeva’s playing style. “What I love most about Andreeva is there is no holes in her game biomechanically. Plus, she a turbo charged Russian Rabbit with her elite movement.” Moreover, what makes her even more solid on the court is the “laser focus and a backbone as good as her backhand.” Adding to his praise, he then claimed “the kid is on the Run to number One.”

Andreeva’s domination on the court is such that even the top-ranked players have failed against her. Take, for example, her Dubai campaign, where she ousted five-time Slam queen Iga Swiatek in the QF round in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Not only that, she then eliminated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the semifinal. At the Indian Wells, she again reigned supreme over Rybakina, with a victory in R16. And then, the teenage sensation conquered Swiatek in the SF round before confirming her final ticket.

Perhaps that’s the reason Macci thinks so highly of the rising WTA star. Remember his reaction when she won the Dubai Tennis Championships last month? On X, he wrote, “She was an explosive Russian Firecracker when she came on tour. I love that COMPETITIVE RAGE for a young player playing in the BIGS. Early on her temper cost her. That anger has matured into more determination and is a best friend. Number one around the corner”

Now that Andreeva is set for the ultimate clash against Sabalenka on Sunday, she will try to settle the scores as well, apart from eying the coveted Indian Wells trophy.

Mirra Andreeva looks to take her revenge on Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells’ final

Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka have already faced each other twice this season. And guess what? The Belarusian emerged victorious on both occasions. Back in January, she ousted the 17-year-old in the SF of Brisbane International, 6-3, 6-2. Few days later, in the Australian Open fourth round, she dominated her again. This time, Sabalenka won 6-1, 6-2.

Ahead of the Indian Wells final, Andreeva expressed her thoughts on facing Sabalenka for a third time in three months. During a press conference, she said, “Yeah, the matches that we played this year didn’t really go my way. Yeah, I can say she almost killed me, especially in Melbourne.”

Sabalenka is even leading the h2h tally, 4-1, against Andreeva. The latter’s only victory against the World No.1 came last season. In the French Open QF round, she beat her with a score line of 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. With that, she also became the youngest Slam semifinalist after Martina Hingis in 1997. As much as Andreeva is targeting the BNP Paribas Open title, she’s having revenge on her mind as well.

“Yeah, I’m gonna try to take a revenge, because I still have nothing to lose, and I feel like the match is going to be probably entertaining. There is going to be a lot of, I think, a lot of winners, a lot of great points,” she added. Sabalenka, on the other hand, will look to win her first-ever Indian Wells trophy after failing to do so in 2023. Back then, Elena Rybakina defeated her in the final.

What’s your prediction about the upcoming clash? Will Andreeva create history in the Californian desert or Sabalenka make it three-in-a-row against her this season? Let us know in the comments below.