By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, March 9, 2026
Picture credit score: Matthew Stockman/Getty
INDIAN WELLS—Katerina Siniakova dethroned defending champion Mirra Andreeva with a cliffhanger winner that despatched the eighth seed over the emotional edge.
On match level, Siniakova’s backhand crashed into the highest of the tape and crawled over.
That fortuitous bounce sealed Siniakova’s wild 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 upset—and sparked an indignant diva departure from the 2025 champion.
Andreeva misplaced her crown then misplaced her cool.
An irate Andreeva flung her racquet earlier than the post-match handshake.
Because the Stadium 1 crowd roared, Andreeva appeared to inform the group “F–okay You All!” as she walked off the court docket.
#Siniakova‘s beautiful victory over the reigning champion Andreeva marks a monumental upset, persevering with the 35-year streak of the title by no means being efficiently defended at this event.#IndianWells#BNPParibasOpen#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/Y6SgO575Ou
— THE TENNIS TALK 🏆 (@AnalyticsTennis) March 9, 2026
Later, a veteran photographer who was within the picture pit for the tip, advised us he may clearly hear Andreeva curse and stated her wrath seemed to be directed at a vocal Siniakova fan.
Siniakova, who raised each arms in apology after her net-cord shot dribbled over, stated the unusual conclusion was extra a way of aid than rejoicing.
“I imply, after all I’m pleased it went on the opposite aspect,” Siniakova stated. “I used to be, like, ought to I cheer
or ought to — no, it’s actually difficult end.
“Positively I hit the backhand. I used to be like, oh, is it on the opposite aspect? Yeah, it was aid, , anyway. So nobody desires to complete like this. I wished to get pleasure from it, however positively I cannot say I’m not pleased. I used to be pleased it was on the opposite aspect.”
The strong-willed Siniakova battled for three-and-a-half hours subduing Leylah Fernandez 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 in spherical two that was the second-longest Tour-level match of the season.
Immediately, the world No. 44 toiled by way of two hours, 48-minutes of baseline fury in a match that featured 42 break factors and 14 breaks of serve.
Siniakova’s endurance is a advantage: She scored her eleventh profession High 10 win in the present day and in her eleventh BNP Paribas Open look reached the fourth spherical for the primary time.
The 29-year-old Siniakova will face Australian Open semifinalist Elina Svitolina, who beat Ashlyn Krueger, 6-4, 6-2, for a quarterfinal spot.
As for Andreeva, whereas you need to minimize her some slack as an emotional 18-year-old, she’s additionally received to take care of some sense of maturity on the court docket.
It was a distressing departure, significantly given how supportive Indian Wells followers had been towards {the teenager} throughout her magical run to the 2025 title. Andreeva beat Elina Svitolina, Elena Rybakina, No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a stirring run to the Indian Wells championship.
Immediately, the red-hot cauldron of title protection strain and emotional volatility noticed Andreeva soften down after following that fluky match level. Typically the ball doesn’t bounce your means, however true champions discover a technique to bounce again.
It’s a lesson Andreeva will possible study as she continues to develop.
