WTA Finals 2026, Indian Wells, USA

[MargaretMcAleer]

Mirra Andreeva is potentially just 2 matches away from reaching No 1 in the WTA live rankings when the AO starts
By beating Shnaider ( Muchova has pulled out with gastro illness) and then Pegula in the SFs, she would guarantee the top spot once the AO points fall off.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Andreeva v Shnaider on court warming up ( Muchova withdrew due to gastro illness)
Andreeva won the toss and has elected to receive
Andreeva leads their H2H 2-0, Shnaider (2nd alternate, playing for house money, also they are good friends and are play doubles together

Andreeva making quick work in the 1st set 62
What I am liking about Mirra's game is she is playing with 'controlled aggression' and keeping that temper 'intact' also her serve has improved, not in the league of Rybakina, but it has improved.

Andreeva with a double break in the 2nd set, Shnaider really hasnt the weapons to upset Mirra.
DF for Shnaider
Andreeva d Shnaider 62 61

Andreeva tops her Group 3-0 going into the SFs

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sabalenka v Svitolina next match
Sabalenka leads H2H 6-1
Both players need to win to advance to the SF
Svitolina won the toss and will serve

Saba gets the early break and consolidates, though she makes it hard for herself, she needs to stick to playing 1st strike tennis against Elena, longer the rallies go on the better for Elena, who makes you play one more ball, of late with Saba and her UFE rate that is a No No
Elena has 3 BPs, Saba is now in Train Wreck Territory, broken
2 games all. Both players held their service games
3 all
Saba had 2 BPs but could not convert
Elena leads 4-3
Saba move forward for Gods Sake, are your feet glued on something? and your serve is around 36%? good grief
Elena breaks and will serve for the 1st set 5-3
Saba's mind is Scrambled she dosent know what shot to play, no confidence in her game at all? is this a hangover from the routing she got from Andreeva in her previous match
Elena has 2 SP
Elena wins the 1st set 63, the first time she has taken a set off Saba since Rome 2024!
Saba has taken a toilet break.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Saba gets an early break and consolidates and hits her first Ace of the match
Saba 3-1 2nd set
Saba 4-1 she is actually using her Brain which has become Unscrambled, in the points now!
Saba with the double break and will serve for the 2nd set 5-1
Oh well there goes one of the breaks? negativity crept into Saba's service game, lucky she was up a double break against Elena
Saba 5-2
Saba gets her 2nd chance of serving for the 2nd set 5-3
Saba wins the 2nd set 63
Going 3

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have no words left for Sabalenka she is trailing Svitolina 1-4
Saba needs a good rest mentally for the 2027 she has points to defend early in the 2027 season and maybe this is a decline for Saba as she will be turning 29 in 2027, I will be attending the AO in 2027, interested to see if Saba can get her game back, though she has only won 2 tournaments this year and no GS tournaments, maybe players have worked out how to play her, though Saba and her mentality can cost her against any player.
Svitolina will serve for a place in the SF 5-1
Hurry up Svitolina and put Saba and me out of our misery
Svitolina with her 4MP Just Do It!
Svitolina d Sabalenka 63 36 61 just the 2nd time she has had a win against Sabalenka
Svitolina has now made the SF and Sabalenka is out