WTA/ATP: Mirra makes her move

Andreeva’s 7-6(1), 6-1 performance against Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the final, didn’t just earn her the biggest title of her (young) career, it also sent her straight into the top 10, where she makes her debut this week at No.9 in the world rankings.

Andreeva is the first 17-year-old to rank in the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova achieved that feat in 2007 and she is up to No.4 in the WTA Race to Riyadh.

The talented teenager gave a wholesome speech during the trophy ceremony that ended with a surprise.

“Last but not least, I would like to thank me,” said Andreeva.

“I know what I have been dealing with so I want to thank me for always believing in me, I want to thank me for never quitting and always dealing with the pressure. Today it was not easy but I chose to be there 100 percent, so I thank myself for that.”

Andreeva, who reached the semi-finals at Roland-Garros last year, defeating the then world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka en route, said she wasn’t feeling great on court during the title decider against Tauson, but drew inspiration from something NBA legend LeBron James once said.

“I just told myself, ‘Well, you can either let that negativity come into your head and kill you or you can choose to be 100 percent mentally and fight for every point. If something doesn't go your way, okay, fine, you forget about it, play one point at a time’,” said Andreeva.

“I've been listening to a lot of LeBron James' interviews. What he said is it's easy to be confident and to play good when everything goes your way. What makes you a champion is when you're giving your best when you don't feel great.

“That's what I tried to do today.”

It certainly worked.

It was also a banner week for the 22-year-old Tauson, who knocked out top-ranked Sabalenka in the round of 16 on her way to the first WTA 1000 final of her career.

Tauson leads the WTA tour with 15 victories so far this season and has moved up to a career-high No.23 in the world rankings.

“I've had a tough three and a half years. I always knew that I had some kind of talent and form. I never really broke through in these kind of tournaments,” said Tauson after the final.

“Playing six, seven days in a row on this level is not easy. I'm really happy with the five matches that I won, but still sad about this one.”

Rublev doubles up in Doha

Andrey Rublev added a 17th ATP title to his resume, and a second in Doha, with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 triumph over eighth-seeded Brit Jack Draper in the Qatar Open final on Saturday.

Doha is the first tournament Rublev has won twice and it saw him lift a champion’s trophy for the first time since Madrid last spring.

Rublev had to save a match point in the quarter-finals against Alex de Minaur on his way to his third Doha final. The 27-year-old now owns six ATP 500 crowns.

“It’s my first ever title that I won twice. I’m really happy,” said Rublev, who is already in Dubai ready to contest his first round against qualifier Quentin Halys on Tuesday.

“I was really good mentally and didn't let frustration get over me. As soon as I was frustrated, I was able to restart again and I was able to play at the same intensity. That’s the most important thing.”

Baez keeps his Rio crown

Argentina’s Sebastian Baez became the first man to successfully defend his title at the Rio Open, thanks to a 6-2, 6-3 result against France’s Alexandre Muller.

In the presence of retired Argentinian star Juan Martin del Potro, the 24-year-old Baez captured the seventh ATP trophy of his career.

Six of Baez’s seven titles have come on clay, and his 73 clay wins since the start of 2022 are the highest tally amassed on the surface on tour within that period.

“I am so proud of the whole week,” said Baez on court. “I am so happy for every match. I did my best and I am so happy. I try to give my best every point.

“Of course the finals are different because you want to win the tournament. I try to focus on the match and that is most difficult part in the finals, but the support from my coach and the team is so important.”