Martinez Energises Rise Of Andreeva

Teenager credits coach after climbing to career-high No. 6 with 2nd WTA 1000 title

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INDIAN WELLS - Mirra Andreeva rallied from a set down to beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for the Indian Wells WTA 1000 title on March 16, continuing a meteoric rise backed by the coaching counsel of Conchita Martinez.

"Maybe it's happening fast, but I like it. If it's happening fast, I take it," Andreeva said, after ensuring she climbed to a career-high sixth in the world on March 17.

The 17-year-old Russian said she tries not to gauge herself against the teen prodigies of the past, but the comparisons are calling.

Having already become the youngest-ever winner of a WTA 1000 title in Dubai in February, she added another elite title to her resume as she became the third-youngest woman to hoist the Indian Wells trophy, after Martina Hingis (1998) and Serena Williams (1999).

Not only did she beat the top-ranked Belarusian 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, she also defeated world No. 2 and defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, becoming the first player under 18 to beat the top two at the same WTA tournament since Williams overcame Lindsay Davenport and Hingis at the 1999 US Open.