In doing so, Andreeva became the youngest player to advance to the Indian Wells final since Kim Clijsters in 2001. She also became the fifth player to reach this stage before turning 18 years old since the tournament’s inception in 1989; the other four players to do so are Clijsters, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis and Serena Williams.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 on Friday to reach the Indian Wells final for the first time as she sets her sights on back-to-back WTA 1000 titles.

Iga Swiatek lamented the windy conditions in Indian Wells following her semifinal exit but also admitted that Mirra Andreeva "played better and braver" and therefore deserved to end on the winning side.