Ningbo Open 2024: Mirra Andreeva into maiden WTA 500 final against Daria Kasatkina in withdrawal deja vu

Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina will face off tomorrow in the final of 2024 Ningbo Open. Albeit both benefitted from other players pulling the plug due to injury this afternoon.

Kasatkina, the no.5 seed was leading Paula Badosa 6-4 when the Spaniard decided against continuing. While 17-year-old Andreeva was ahead 6-2, 1-0 when she shook hands with Karolina Muchova. Concern in particular for the Czech with recent injury issues and also the fact she has shown some of her best form as of late.

Badosa who withdrew from last week’s WTA 1000 in Wuhan citing illness retired due to dizziness while Muchova stopped with a back injury. The 2023 Roland Garros finalist was playing in her fourth semi-final since June having only played seven tournaments. She was the runner-up to Coco Gauff in Beijing and looked in real pain as she left the court with Andreeva asking if she is ok.

But has also taken a real cautious approach with her health after spending much of the past year on the sidelines with injury and especially one which has caused her much distress and that she has miraculously reappeared from with some of her best form.

It has been a real poor week for Ningbo with seven lucky losers featuring in the field after withdrawals. Andreeva is into her second career final and her first at WTA 500 level. It is their first career meeting. But Kasatkina has won five out of her seven career titles at WTA 500 level. Albeit she has lost six out of her last seven finals. Her only win in that span came on grass in June. Andreeva won in Iasi, Romania back in July.

Both are also good friends off the court with Andreeva often appearing in Kasatkina’s vlog series with her girlfriend and is often the star of the show.