In a thrilling finale at the Miami Open, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider claimed the WTA 1000 doubles title on Sunday, March 30, 2025, defeating the Spanish-Japanese duo of Cristina Bucsa and Miyu Kato. The match, which was marked by multiple rain interruptions, saw Andreeva and Shnaider secure victory with a final score of 6-3, 6-7 (5), and a decisive 10-2 in the supertie-break, lasting 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Andreeva, just 17 years old, has been on a remarkable run this season, having already won individual titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. Coached by Conchita Martínez, she has established herself as a formidable player on the WTA tour. Shnaider, her 20-year-old partner, is also making waves in the doubles circuit, currently ranked world No. 18.
The path to the final was not an easy one for the Russian pair, as they faced stiff competition throughout the tournament. In the semifinals, they defeated the experienced doubles specialists Jiang Xinyu and Wu Fang-hsien, showcasing their strong partnership and synergy on the court. Their performance in Miami marked a significant milestone, as it was their first WTA 1000 final together, despite having reached the semifinals at several other major tournaments this year.
On the other side of the net, Bucsa and Kato were looking to make a name for themselves after a challenging start to the season. The duo had previously struggled, entering the tournament with five consecutive losses but managed to turn their fortunes around in Miami, knocking out top-seeded teams along the way. Their impressive run included defeating the third-seeded pair of Sara Sorribes and Bucsa, who previously captured a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The final match began with a strong start from Andreeva and Shnaider, who quickly took a 3-0 lead before rain halted play. After a lengthy delay of over three hours due to weather conditions, the players returned to the court, where the Russians maintained their momentum to win the first set 6-3. However, Bucsa and Kato rallied in the second set, pushing the match into a tie-break that they ultimately won, forcing a supertie-break to decide the champion.
In the supertie-break, Andreeva and Shnaider demonstrated their resilience and skill, dominating their opponents with a commanding performance. The final moments of the match were particularly tense, but the Russian pair held their nerve, sealing the victory and adding another title to their growing list of achievements.
Reflecting on the match, Bucsa expressed pride in their performance, stating, “Being the runners-up is a great result.” Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, her partnership with Kato has shown promise for future tournaments. This was Bucsa's second chance at a WTA 1000 doubles title after previously winning at the Madrid Open in 2024.
The victory for Andreeva and Shnaider not only solidifies their status as a rising force in women's doubles but also highlights their potential as individual players. With Andreeva ranked No. 6 and Shnaider at No. 13 in singles, both athletes are poised for continued success on the WTA tour.
As the Miami Open concludes, the tennis world is left buzzing about the impressive performances and the exciting potential of both the winning and runner-up teams. The future looks bright for these young athletes, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how they progress in the upcoming tournaments.
With this victory, Andreeva and Shnaider have set a high bar for themselves, and their next challenge will be to maintain this momentum as they head into the next leg of the WTA tour. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on this dynamic duo to see if they can continue to build on their success and challenge for more titles.
The Miami Open has once again proven to be a stage for thrilling tennis and emerging talent, and as the dust settles, the excitement of the tournament lingers in the air. Fans can look forward to more action as the WTA tour continues, with Andreeva and Shnaider now firmly in the spotlight.
