Andreeva's surge in Adelaide: young ace clinches her first WTA 500 crown with a comeback
17 January 2026
Match-up and outcome
Mira Andreeva, the world No. 8, staged a stunning comeback from a 0-3 deficit in the first set against Victoria Mboko to take control and win 6-3, 6-1 in 64 minutes, securing Adelaide’s 500-point title. At just 18 years old, the Russian-born player earned her fourth Tour title and first in the 500-point tier, signaling a breakout on the big stage.
With the triumph, Andreeva rises to No. 7 in the world, surpassing Jasmine Paolini, and adds another milestone to a season already marked by rapid progression. The win also strengthens her claim as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents, capable of flipping momentum in an instant.
Mboko, who had reached two finals before this match, will slide to No. 16 in the world but remains a rising force in the rankings. She cited a health issue that forced a medical timeout in the second set as a partial explanation for the final’s outcome, and she will look to build on this experience as she heads into the Australian Open.
Hobart triumph and this year’s trajectory
Two years earlier, Elisabetta Cocchiaro came within a whisker of Hobart’s singles title, losing the final to American Lauren Davis. On this Saturday, Cocchiaro completed what she started, defeating American Eva Jovic (the American rising star) 6-4, 6-4 to claim her second career title on the tour.
Her Hobart success places her among a small club of players who have lifted the trophy after coming through the qualifying rounds, joining Mona Barthel (2012), Garbiñe Muguruza (2014), and Lauren Davis. Cocchiaro’s win also marks the second Hobart triumph for an Italian after Rita Grande, a moment that highlights the tournament’s evolving international flavor. The period signals a promising arc for Italian tennis in the early 2020s and a rare American drought ending in this event’s history.
