Tauson’s biggest title or Andreeva’s next milestone? The Dubai final awaits

Saturday’s final between No. 12 seeded Mirra Andreeva
At 17, Mirra Andreeva
But set aside her astonishing precocity for a moment and consider the results of the past two days:
Dubai final: Andreeva vs. Tauson, Saturday 7 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
First, it was a muscular straight-sets win over five-time Grand Slam singles champion and No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek
For Tauson, the 22-year-old from Denmark beat World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka
It was Tauson’s 15th win of the year -- the highest total among all Hologic WTA players.
Andreeva has not faced Clara Tauson
Who has the advantage? Greg Garber and Courtney Nguyen make the case for the two unlikely finalists:
Advantage, Andreeva
What were you doing when you were 17?
All Andreeva has done in Dubai is beat three former major champions -- Rybakina, Swiatek and Marketa Vondrousova
This isn’t a result anyone saw coming, including Andreeva.
“After playing in Doha and losing tough second round, having a lot of opportunities, I just felt a bit down,” she told reporters. “Last year I didn’t play so good on these courts in Dubai. I was like, `Well, OK, whatever. I’m just going to play.’
“In the end, when you don’t think about what’s going to happen, it always ends up being one of the best tournaments of your career.”
Down 3-1 to Rybakina in the third set, Andreeva won three straight games. But serving at 4-3, she fell into a love-40 hole -- and you could just feel a break back coming from Rybakina. Somehow, Andreeva saved four break points in that pivotal game and now, a tournament-high 24 break points.
Her resilience is extraordinary. Earlier, Andreeva stroked four double faults in a single game and still managed to win the first set. In the end, she won a single point more than Rybakina.
Andreeva is more powerful this year -- she had eight more winners than Rybakina and eight fewer unforced errors -- and there is a thoughtful shape to her shots. With the guidance of coach Conchita Martinez, she’s playing terrific tactical tennis. She employed a number of slices against Rybakina and, with some short forehands reminiscent of Roger Federer, she drew Rybakina into the net before hitting some devastating passing shots.
She’s the only teenager in the Top 100 PIF WTA Rankings, but there is a huge milestone within reach. A win in this final would send her into the Top 10, making her the youngest to achieve that since Nicole Vaidisova nearly 19 years ago.
Before she knew her finals opponent, Andreeva confidently broke down the games of both Tauson and Muchova.
“Karolina, she likes to play smart,” Andreeva said. “She uses dropshots. She plays a lot of approaches, just coming to the net. I know that Clara, she’s a heavy hitter, big server.
“I think I know how to play against both of them.” -- Greg Garber
Advantage, Tauson
If Andreeva's run to the final was one few saw coming, Tauson's is one everyone should have. Now healthy and fit after promising seasons marred by injuries, she started the year outside the Top 50 but has quietly emerged as one of the most consistently dangerous players on tour.
39&351 - The final in Dubai 2025 will have the youngest combined aged by two finalists in a WTA-1000 event since the format’s introduction in 2009 (39 years and 351 days, at the start of the tournament). Youth.#DDFTennis | @DDFTennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/0nzjK5Lm7l
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) February 21, 2025
With her gritty win over Karolina Muchova
Few players on tour can make World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka
When she was younger, Tauson was always quick to reject the lazy comparisons to the first Great Dane, Caroline Wozniacki
All the pressure will be on Andreeva on Saturday. Tauson will be able to swing freely and confidently, which is why she's been so dangerous in Dubai. It will take a lot to make her question her decision-making given her results this year. And she has the weapons to make Andreeva doubt.
Finessing the volley 😮💨#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/AWnfGs4EML
— wta (@WTA) February 21, 2025
"I won a lot of good matches this year and played some good tournaments," Tauson said. "I think the consistency has been very important for me. I don't think I've ever put down these kind of results on this level. So it's really nice for me that I can go out there and play freely.
"I mean, in most matches on this level I'm going to be the underdog. But hopefully soon I'll have a better ranking so the pressure's going to be on me." -- Courtney Nguyen