BNP Paribas Open Match Preview
Andreeva is not No. 1—yet—but she’s the WTA’s player of the moment. The 17-year-old Russian, after a 1000 title in Dubai and two rounds at Indian Wells, has won eight straight matches, and they’ve become more one-sided with each passing day. On Sunday, she made 6-3, 6-0 work of her putative future rival Clara Tauson.
One of Andreeva’s wins came over Rybakina in Dubai. That one wasn’t lopsided; it took her three tough sets. For now, while she isn’t generating the same kind of attention as Andreeva, Rybakina remains the higher-ranked player. While she has been relatively under the radar, she’s 15-5 this season, and she won Indian Wells as recently as 2023.
Andreeva already has the smoother all-around game than Rybakina, and it may be the better one eventually. The question for today is whether she’s better now. Rybakina’s serve is still a bigger weapon, and when she’s on, she may have the more potent baseline attack. Which means this contest will be a good test for where Andreeva stands as a Grand Slam threat in 2025. I’m going to guess that she’ll pass. Winner: Andreeva—Steve Tignor
👉 Click here for more news on the BNP Paribas Open.
