'Old Mama Playing Against The Kid'

Sabalenka, 26, to face Andreeva, 17, who has revenge on her mind after Melbourne loss

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INDIAN WELLS - Revenge is on the mind of Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva when she takes on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final on March 16.

The rapidly rising 17-year-old lost to her Belarusian opponent in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January and it is clear what she is now aiming for.

"I'm going to try to take revenge because I have nothing to lose," she said. "I feel like the match is going to be entertaining. There are going to be a lot of winners, a lot of great points."

Do not count her out just because she is young and inexperienced.

On March 14, Andreeva stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-1), 1-6, 6-3 to reach the title-decider against Sabalenka, who avenged her Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys in January with a 6-0, 6-1 rout.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka, who reached the Indian Wells final in 2023, said she was also looking forward to playing Andreeva.

"It feels like old mama playing against the kid," said the 26-year-old. "I'm like what, nine years older than her?

"She is two years younger than my sister and I look at my sister as a kid. It's crazy."