Key Takeaways
- Mirra Andreeva reflected on her previous failure to reach the WTA Finals after squandering a lead during the Asian swing.
- Elena Rybakina overtook Andreeva for the final berth after Andreeva posted a 2-3 record and skipped the tournament in Tokyo.
- Andreeva qualified third in the race this season and will debut at the relocated WTA Finals in Indian Wells alongside six other confirmed players.
Costly Asian swing taught Russian star a harsh lesson
Mirra Andreeva has secured her spot in the season-ending WTA Finals, but the young Russian still looks back on her previous qualifying failure with blunt self-criticism. Despite holding a significant advantage in the Race before the autumn tournaments last season, a combination of poor results and tournament absences allowed Elena Rybakina to overtake her at the last moment.
After claiming consecutive WTA 1000 trophies in Dubai and Indian Wells earlier in the campaign, Andreeva was in prime position. However, her momentum evaporated during the Asian swing, where she registered a 2-3 record by exiting in the round of 16 in Beijing and dropping opening matches in Wuhan and Ningbo.
Rybakina’s late surge and Andreeva’s scheduling mistake
While Andreeva struggled, Rybakina took full advantage. The Kazakh competitor reached the third round in Beijing, advanced to the quarterfinals in Wuhan, and captured the WTA 500 title in Ningbo. Rybakina then entered the Tokyo event, a tournament Andreeva chose to skip.
Needing only a semifinal finish in Tokyo to snatch the final qualification berth, Rybakina reached the final four before withdrawing from the event, successfully nudging Andreeva out of the championship field. Andreeva acknowledged to the WTA website that she “messed up big time” through her performances and calendar choices.
Preparation for desert debut in Indian Wells
Andreeva admitted that witnessing Rybakina achieve the required victories was hard to swallow, noting she felt deeply “disappointed” when Rybakina clinched the spot. Nevertheless, Andreeva converted that frustration into growth, comfortably reaching third place in the qualifying race this season.
The WTA Finals, relocated to Indian Wells after the tour ended its agreement in Saudi Arabia, will be held from November 8 to 15. Andreeva will make her tournament debut alongside a confirmed field that also features Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Elina Svitolina, and Linda Noskova.
Mirra Andreeva in 2026
Currently the world no.3 (career-high), Mirra played her last match on the 11th of October when she was defeated by world no.23 Qinwen Zheng 7-5 6-4 in the final in Beijing (draw).
Presently, during this year the Russian achieved a composed 50-16 match record. Andreeva clinched 3 titles in 2026 in Adelaide, Linz and French Open.
