WTA Dubai Final Preview: Clara Tauson vs. Mirra Andreeva

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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Tauson is a bit more of a wild card. Her early years on tour were largely a disappointment. She could slug with anyone, but she couldn’t run with them, or keep the ball in the court long enough to compete with them. That changed right away in 2025, when she won a title in Auckland, gave Sabalenka a scare in Melbourne, made the semis in Linz, and has now beaten Svitolina, Sabalenka, and Muchova in Dubai.

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So how might these two match up? Both can win free points with their serves. Tauson can generate more baseline pace, especially with her forehand. But Andreeva is a better athlete, a better defender, has a better backhand, and plays with a little more margin. While Tauson has been a pleasant surprise this season, and will continue to be, I still think Andreeva is on the faster track to the top. Winner: Andreeva