"How Many Times?": Friends Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva Prepare for Third Clash of 2026 at Miami Open

Top 10 teenagers Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva face off for the third time in 2026 at the Miami Open. Read about their friendship and budding rivalry.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 5:50 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Recurring Rivalry Between Top 10 Teens

The "luck of the draw" has once again brought together two of the WTA’s brightest young stars, World No. 9 Victoria Mboko and World No. 10 Mirra Andreeva. Both players secured their spots in the fourth round with impressive victories: the 10th-seeded Mboko defeated Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets, while the 8th-seeded Andreeva battled past Marie Bouzkova in three. This Monday showdown marks the third time the 19-year-old Canadian and 18-year-old Russian have faced off in 2026, a frequency that has become a running joke between the two friends.

Trading Blows in the 2026 Season

The head-to-head record for the current season stands at a dead heat. Andreeva claimed the first victory in Adelaide this January with a dominant two-set performance. Mboko, however, exacted revenge at the Qatar Open in February, securing a grueling three-set win. Their familiarity extends beyond singles competition; the pair competed as doubles partners at both Indian Wells and the current Miami Open, making their transition to on-court rivals a complex emotional task.

The Sentimental Value of Professional Competition

Both athletes have been candid about the difficulties of competing against a close friend. Mboko admitted that facing an opponent she is not personally close with carries "less sentimental value," making it easier to maintain a competitive edge. Despite the high stakes of a WTA 1000 event, the duo maintains a lighthearted approach to their frequent pairings. "We were like, ‘Oh my God, how many times?’" Andreeva recalled when they realized they were in the same section of the draw again.