INDIAN WELLS, California: Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva extended her unbeaten run at the WTA Finals on Saturday, dispatching American Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-4 to reach the final, where she will face a resurgent Elina Svitolina.
Andreeva’s heavy groundstrokes, strong serving and tireless defense were too much for the American in their first career meeting, played under sunny skies in the California desert.
“It was a tough match,” Andreeva said. “You have to work hard to win a point against her. She is going to leave everything out there and make your life complicated, so I wanted to make her life complicated as well today.”
The opening set was tight until Andreeva pounced on a looping shot from Pegula and drilled a forehand winner to break serve for a 5-3 lead.
Pegula, backed by a supportive crowd, earned break points as Andreeva served for the set, but shanked an overhead and Andreeva took the set two points later when her opponent’s backhand found the net.
Pegula broke to grab a 3-1 advantage in the second set but the lead would prove short-lived. Andreeva broke straight back with a deft volley and broke again to lead 4-3. The tournament’s third seed ultimately sealed the win when a Pegula backhand sailed long on match point.
