Mirra Andreeva names the one player she’d welcome a WTA rivalry with

Mirra Andreeva is back in Dubai, looking to hold onto the title she picked up there a year ago.

Last season saw her take home two major trophies, including this event and the Indian Wells Open.

So far this week, she’s yet to hit a ball in competition. Andreeva was handed a bye into the second round, then advanced again after Daria Kasatkina withdrew before their match.

She’ll now face either Ella Seidel or Jacqueline Cristian in the next round. Before getting underway, Andreeva spoke about her growing rivalry with Victoria Mboko, who beat her at the Qatar Open last week.

Mirra Andreeva open to future rivalry with Victoria Mboko

“I do think that we might have something going on in the future like this,” Andreeva said of Mboko. “Because obviously this year we played against each other twice already.

“And I think that there are going to be so many tournaments in the future that we’re going to play against each other.

“It’s not really nice to have a rivalry with someone. But if I were to choose one player, it’s just nice to share those moments with her because I’ve known her for a long time, obviously.

Andreeva and Mboko made history recently by becoming the first pair of teenagers in the WTA top 10 since 2009, when Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka achieved the same feat. Mboko’s rise came after her run to the Qatar Open final.

The two players have already met twice on Tour this year. Andreeva took their first encounter at the Brisbane International final, winning 6-3, 6-1, while Mboko responded with a victory of her own in Doha.

Both players are clearly talented, but after their latest meeting in Qatar, it’s become apparent that Mboko currently holds an edge over Andreeva.

What’s at stake for Andreeva and Mboko in Dubai?

For Andreeva, this week in Dubai could play a key role in shaping her season. She picked up 1000 points here last year, so there’s pressure to hold onto them. Anything less than a strong run could see her lose ground in the rankings.

If she goes out early, she’d drop one spot to number eight in the world, at least based on current projections.

Mboko, meanwhile, has nothing to lose and everything to gain. She didn’t make her WTA 1000 main draw debut until Miami last year, so she comes into Dubai with no points to defend and a real chance to climb even higher up the rankings with a good showing.

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