Andreeva holds the cards to become world No. 2 as Muchova pulls out of WTA Finals and Shnaider steps in
Mirra Andreeva has moved up to world No. 2 in the live rankings, ahead of Aryna Sabalenka, before facing alternate Diana Shnaider, who replaces an ill Karolina Muchova in her last WTA Finals group match.
Mirra Andreeva, WTA Finals | © JESPER ZERMAN/BILDBYRÅN/Shutterstock/SIPA
Mirra Andreeva is the provisional world No. 2. With 6,706 points in the live rankings, the 19-year-old Russian has moved 21 points ahead of Aryna Sabalenka, thanks to her two wins in the group stage of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. She now holds all the cards to stay there at the end of the week.
Before her semi-final against Jessica Pegula on Saturday, Andreeva will play her last group match against a new opponent. Karolina Muchova withdrew on Friday. “Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from today’s match due to gastrointestinal issues,” the Czech said. Diana Shnaider, the second alternate, replaces her.
No effect on the semi-final race
Muchova, who lost to Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina, was already eliminated, and Andreeva had already clinched first place in Group 2 with straight-sets wins over Svitolina and Sabalenka. The second semi-final spot will be decided in the match between Sabalenka and Svitolina, scheduled after Andreeva against Shnaider.
| Rank | Player | Country | W-L | Sets | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mirra Andreeva[3] 
|
|
2-0 | 4-0 | 24-8 |
| 2 |
Aryna Sabalenka[2]
|
|
1-1 | 2-2 | 18-23 |
| 3 |
Elina Svitolina[6]
|
|
1-1 | 2-3 | 18-22 |
| 4 |
Karolina Muchova[7]
Withdrew before her last match
|
|
0-2 | 1-4 | 21-28 |
| Alternate | |||||
| 5 |
Diana Shnaider[10]
Second alternate
|
|
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Muchova ends her season with a 41-14 record, titles in Doha and Bad Homburg and a first Wimbledon final, which she lost to Linda Noskova.
$230,000 for Shnaider
Shnaider makes her WTA Finals debut against her compatriot and doubles partner. Stepping in earns her $230,000, on top of the $100,000 she receives as an alternate. Andreeva leads their head-to-head 2-0, including a win in Adelaide in January.
