Mirra Andreeva vs. Clara Tauson
This is a battle between two former world No. 1 juniors who have been riding on different tracks as pros. Andreeva, 17, has taken the express, while Tauson, 22, has been on the local. Whether they traveled quickly or slowly, though, each has arrived at her first 1000-level final at the same time. That fact, and the sky-high potential that each woman has shown, makes this an intriguing contest between two Dubai giant killers, and two tall and powerful future WTA stars.
This will also be their first meeting. On paper, Andreeva is the favorite. She’s ranked 24 spots higher (14 to 38) and has already reached a Grand Slam semifinal in her short career. She’s also coming off two top-level wins, over Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, in her last two matches. Andreeva looks destined to finish this year inside the Top 10, or even the Top 5, and it seems virtually impossible that she won’t win multiple Grand Slam titles by the time her career is over.
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