Surely a fortnight ago nobody could have predicted the names of the two women’s finalists at the Mutua Madrid Open. But in the Caja Magica there is always room for upsets and unexpected stories, like those of Mirra Andreeva and Marta Kostyuk, who will clash at 17:00 on Saturday in the Manolo Santana Stadium with the title on the line.
Andreeva, who turned 19 on Wednesday, will start the match as favourite according to her WTA Ranking (8th compared to 23rd for her opponent), but the kind of tennis the Ukrainian is playing in Madrid suggests a much closer encounter. Kostyuk has only dropped one set in the tournament, in her semi-final against Potapova, and has two hours less in her legs than Andreeva. Moreover, she took the spoils in their only previous encounter, which came a few months ago in the quarters in Brisbane, on hard court. It ended 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 to the Ukrainian.
For Andreeva, Madrid is one of the most special tournaments of the year. It is the place where she introduced herself to the world; in 2023, at the age of 15, she reached the last sixteen and has not looked back since. Three years later, time in which she has enjoyed an astonishing rise through the ranks, the young player comes into the final as the full package. Everybody now knows the magnitude of her talent. If she wins on Saturday it will be her third WTA 1000 title after those she claimed in Dubai and Indian Wells in 2025.
Mirra’s journey to the final has been a masterclass in tactical tennis. She does not win by brute force, but by reading the game with a maturity far beyond her years. Her ability to change the trajectory of her shots, deploy the drop shot as a strategic weapon, and stay composed under intense pressure makes her a nightmare for seeded players. Watching her play, it is impossible to miss the influence of Conchita Martínez.
On the other side of the net stands Marta Kostyuk, a player who, despite her youth, has already lived countless lives in the world of tennis. If Andreeva represents the meteoric rise, Kostyuk is the embodiment of perseverance. In 2026, the Ukrainian is in the form of her life; physically strong, aggressive, and mentally resilient. Finalist in Brisbane, champion in Rouen, and now on the brink of her first big title as a professional tennis player. In fact, this is her first final at a WTA 1000 event.
“I think this year I’m playing at a very high level. I just had tough draws in Indian Wells and Miami, but honestly, I wasn’t disappointed after those matches. Quite the opposite, they helped me build the confidence I have in my game right now”, explains Kostyuk. “Trusting the work you put in helps you become more emotionally and physically stable, and to overcome difficult situations. It all helps”.
Whoever wins, Andreeva or Kostyuk, one thing is certain; Madrid will usher in a new queen. The winner will join a list of champions that contains just ten names. And what a list it is: Dinara Safina, Aravane Rezai, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep, Kiki Bertens, Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur and Iga Swiatek.
