Andreeva defeats Svitolina to win WTA Finals

Detailed summary

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva battled past Elina Svitolina in straight sets to win the season-ending WTA Finals crown on Sunday. Andreeva powered to a 7-5, 6-3 victory in a…

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva battled past Elina Svitolina in straight sets to win the season-ending WTA Finals crown on Sunday.

Andreeva powered to a 7-5, 6-3 victory in a hard-fought duel in Indian Wells to complete a superb week in California.

Reigning French Open champion Andreeva, 19, clinched the title without dropping a set in the tournament.

She is only the third teenager after Chris Evert and Maria Sharapova to win the WTA Finals on their debut.

"It feels amazing, of course I'm super-privileged to put my name in that group," said Andreeva.

The teenager thanked friends, family and support staff in a victory speech, before light-heartedly thanking herself for her success.

"I want to thank myself for always doing the hard work, for never quitting, for always believing in myself, for not taking the days off, for working every day, and for committing to what I have to do," said Andreeva, wearing a track-suit top with the slogan "I want to thank myself."

A grueling 1hr 48min duel saw Andreeva secure a break in the opening game of the first set before holding for a 2-0 lead.

Ukrainian veteran Svitolina broke back in the fourth game, conjuring a sublime angled volley to level at 2-2.

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