Mirra Andreeva is set to face Marta Kostyuk in the 2026 Madrid Open final.
The Russian sits 15 spots higher in the rankings and already has two WTA 1000 titles under her belt, while Kostyuk is still searching for her first at this level.
Andreeva reached the final after beating Hailey Baptiste and was later asked if she saw herself as the favourite heading into the match.
Andreeva doesn’t see herself as the Madrid Open final favourite
Speaking ahead of the second semi-final between Kostyuk and Anastasia Potapova, Andreeva said the following.
“No, I don’t consider myself the favourite for the match because I know that whoever gets to the final is a tough opponent,” she said.
“I’ve learned not to care about the rankings of my opponent or, you know, the last name of my opponent as well.
“I’m just going to try to go on court and do the things that I have to do to really focus on the game plan that we create with Conchita [Martinez], and that’s the only thing I can control.
“I cannot control what’s going on in any other way, so if I can just focus on what’s happening in my mind and what’s happening with me physically as well, that’s already more than enough for me. That would be more than enough.”
A reporter then told Andreeva that when Aryna Sabalenka lost to Baptiste in the quarter-finals, she became the highest-ranked player left in the competition.
When Sabalenka was eliminated by Baptiste in this year’s quarter-final, it left Andreeva as there were three players remaining when she won her semi-final.
Kostyuk was one of those three players. The Ukrainian has never won a WTA 1000 title but did win an impressive 21 times at this level last season.
The pair had faced each other before – once earlier in 2026 – with Kostyuk emerging victorious over two sets (7-6 6-3).
Mirra Andreeva’s strong 2026 season continues ahead of Madrid Open final
The 19-year-old has picked up titles in Adelaide and Linz so far this year.
Andreeva is currently ranked fourth in the Live WTA Race standings, but she could climb to third with a win on Saturday.
The Russian just missed out on a spot at the WTA Finals in 2025 but looks well-positioned to qualify this time around.
Kostyuk, meanwhile, could move within striking distance of a top-eight spot if she wins the Madrid Open title.
It remains to be seen who will come out on top in Madrid, but it should be one worth watching.
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