Andreeva, Mboko Set Battle of Teens for Adelaide Title

The two highest-ranked teenagers on the WTA Tour are set to clash for the Adelaide title on Saturday.

Ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva, 18, and Mboko, 19, will meet for the first time at the 500-level event after both breezed through their semifinals on Friday.

Andreeva took out her doubles partner Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-2, while Mboko needed just 59 minutes to dispatch Australia’s Kimberly Birrell a day after she upset Madison Keys, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Mboko won her maiden title at WTA 1000 Montreal last year, and also captured a 250-level title at Hong Kong. In addition to toppling 2025 Australian Open champion Keys, Mboko has also defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia and Anna Kalinskaya this week in Adelaide.

She drilled 22 winners to just seven for Birrell on the day.

“It feels nice because all of my other matches have gone pretty long – I was glad that I could be more aggressive today,” she said.

Andreeva, who also racked up a 1000-level title at Indian Wells last year, will bid for her fourth career title.

“I know Vicky since I’m 12…,” she said. “She’s been playing great tennis, last season especially. She won a 1000 title. I felt like she’s been playing well, and she’s been raising her level tournament to tournament.

“I think it’s going to be a great match. It’s going to be very entertaining.”