Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs celebrated victory at the BNP Paribas Open doubles tournament held at Indian Wells, California, on March 15, 2025. The unseeded pair emerged triumphant, defeating fellow first-time finalists Tereza Mihalikova from Slovakia and Olivia Nicholls from Great Britain with scores of 6-2, 7-6(4).
This win is significant not only for Muhammad and Schuurs but also for their opponents, as it marks the inaugural WTA 1000 final for both Mihalikova and Nicholls. The match unfolded over 1 hour and 43 minutes, showcasing intense exchanges marked by skillful volleys and strategic play.
Starting the final strongly, Muhammad and Schuurs managed to break their opponents four times in the first set, taking control early on. They quickly established dominance with a remarkable 4-1 lead, propelled by Schuurs’s precision at the net. The first set concluded comfortably for Muhammad and Schuurs, concluding 6-2, and featuring 12 winners against nine unforced errors.
The second set presented a different challenge as Mihalikova and Nicholls rallied back. They took the early lead at 3-1, thanks significantly to Nicholls’ powerful return game. Despite facing set points at 5-4, Muhammad proved unshakeable, executing two high-pressure serves to hold onto her service game and even the score at 5-5.
Both teams delivered strong performances, with the game shifting momentum repeatedly during the second set. The pressure heightened during the tiebreaker. Schuurs displayed strategic brilliance with key volleys, eventually leading to double championship points at 6-4. Muhammad seized this opportunity, serving the decisive ace to clinch the title and secure Muhammad’s second WTA 1000 title.
Post-match, Muhammad expressed her elation at their performance, saying, "I think today was tough. We obviously really wanted to win, and I think we did a really good job trying to stay positive and keep up our communication, because that's what we have been doing really well this week. I think in the end, it helped us a lot today." The victory also marked Muhammad's rise to her career-high ranking of world No. 10.
For Schuurs, this victory is her 20th career WTA doubles title, as well as her sixth WTA 1000 title, having partnered with five different players throughout her career. Schuurs conveyed her joy post-match, highlighting the emotions tied to the victory, stating, "We were very happy. We had an unbelievable tournament... If you see who we beat, it’s a great sign. We lost just one set, against the best team in the world" during the semifinals.
With this triumph at Indian Wells, Muhammad and Schuurs have sent a clear message about their competitive prowess as they look forward to the rest of the season. They previously participated together at two events last year, and just recently made Round of 16 appearances at the Australian Open and WTA 1000 events at Doha and Dubai.
On the other hand, for Mihalikova and Nicholls, reaching this level of competition signifies a substantial achievement. For Nicholls, it was particularly significant as she remarked, "This is our first WTA 1000 final and hopefully, there are many more to come.” Their performance at Indian Wells has clearly established them as formidable players on the doubles circuit, and they will be eager to build on this experience moving forward.
Overall, the BNP Paribas Open final was marked by skill, resilience, and emotional play, showcasing the promise of all four athletes involved. The tournament will certainly be remembered as both Muhammad and Schuurs embrace their accomplishment and Mihalikova and Nicholls ponder their path toward future successes.