Mirra Andreeva Triumphs at BNP Paribas Open, Jack Draper Secures Men’s Title

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — In a stunning upset, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the women’s singles final at the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, March 16, 2025. This victory makes Andreeva the youngest champion of the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.

Andreeva’s performance marks her second Masters 1000 title in 2025, following her victory at Dubai in February. With an impressive record of 19-3 this season, she is set to break into the WTA‘s top ten rankings next week.

Reflecting on her victory, Andreeva said, “I would again like to thank myself for fighting until the end and for always believing in me and for never quitting.” Her perseverance was evident as she regained control of the match after dropping the first set.

Throughout the match, Andreeva demonstrated remarkable composure and strategic play. After a shaky first set, she improved her serving and won 17 out of 24 points on her serve in the second set, eventually taking it 6-4. In the final set, she broke Sabalenka at love, showcasing her aggressive approach and remarkable timing.

“I tried to run like a rabbit today,” Andreeva joked about facing Sabalenka’s powerful shots. “It was really hard to just keep up, so I just tried my best.”

In the men’s final later that day, 13th-seeded Jack Draper of Britain defeated 12th-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark 6-2, 6-2, claiming his first Masters 1000 title. Draper, who is set to enter the ATP’s top 10 for the first time, improved his season record to 13-2.

“You never know when it’s your time,” said Draper, reflecting on his journey. “I lost first round here last year, so I didn’t get to experience the tournament too much. But I’d say this is one of my favorite tournaments now, of course.”

Andreeva’s victory comes on the heels of her remarkable journey, having defeated multiple top 10 players leading up to the final. Her match against Swiatek had been particularly challenging, pushing her to adapt her game mid-match to secure a spot in the final.

Both players reflected on their respective journeys, with Sabalenka offering her congratulations to Andreeva during the trophy ceremony. “Congrats on an incredible run,” Saberlnka said. “Great tournament. Great tennis.”

The final concluded with Andreeva’s powerful forehand winner, after which she dropped to her knees in disbelief, overwhelmed by the significance of her victory. She is now 5-0 against top-10 players in her last five matches, further establishing her as a rising star in women’s tennis.