WTA Finals: Mirra Andreeva eliminates Jessica Pegula to reach final, winning in straight sets after 'diva' criticism

Mirra Andreeva took a straight-sets victory over Jessica Pegula at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells.

Andreeva's 6-3 6-4 victory saw her advance to the final at the year-end tournament in California, making her the first teenager to reach the title match at the WTA Finals since 2004.

Andreeva and Pegula were playing one another for the first time in their careers and their match-up in the last four came after Pegula had been picked up on a hot mic criticising Andreeva at the start of the tournament.

In a livestreamed practice session, Pegula was heard labelling Andreeva a "diva" who "needs to be humbled".

Andreeva had the last word as she eliminated the American from the tournament. To win Andreeva had to come back from being a break down in both sets.

Pegula broke first in the opening set but Andreeva immediately responded to force a break back her way.

Andreeva smashed a forehand cross-court to claim another break and leave her serving for the set.

She managed to see it out, but only after Pegula squandered a break point.

In the second set another break of serve saw Andreeva move 5-3 up and enjoy control of the contest. Pegula did hold serve after that but Andreeva closed out the contest in her next service game.

"It was a tough match," Andreeva said. "You have to work hard to win ​a point against her. She is going to leave everything out there and make your life complicated, so I ​wanted to make her life complicated as ⁠well today."

Andreeva, appearing in the WTA Finals for the first time, has not dropped a set in four matches at the event so far.

Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can watch the WTA Finals from Indian Wells this week on Sky Sports Tennis.