Victoria Mboko delivered a statement performance in Adelaide, demolishing Australian wild card Kimberly Birrell 6-2, 6-1 in just 59 minutes to reach her first WTA 500 final. The 19-year-old Canadian, fresh off her breakthrough 2025 season that included WTA 250 and 1000 titles, showed no mercy in advancing to Saturday's championship match. Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva set up a teen showdown with Mboko by defeating Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-2 in the other Adelaide semifinal. Iva Jovic battled back from a set down to eliminate wild card Taylah Preston in Hobart to set up the title clash against qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Mboko's clinical display crushes Birrell's dream run
One year after claiming WTA Tour Newcomer of the Year honors, Victoria Mboko is already positioning herself for another trophy case addition with a dominant semifinal performance. The Canadian's ball-striking was simply too powerful for Birrell, who had impressed Australian fans with her run to the final four. After falling behind 2-1 in the opening set when Birrell erased the match's first break point, Mboko responded with devastating precision, reeling off nine consecutive games to effectively end the contest. The world No. 17 hammered 22 winners including eight aces compared to Birrell's seven total winners, converting five of seven break point opportunities. Most impressively, Mboko won seven of eight serve pressure points while capturing 11 of 20 return pressure points, showcasing the composure that carried her through three-set battles earlier in the tournament. Having already defeated defending champion and Australian Open winner Madison Keys in the quarterfinals, Mboko now stands one win away from adding a WTA 500 title to her rapidly expanding resume.
Andreeva advances to set up teen final
Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive start to 2026 with a convincing straight-sets victory over fellow Russian Diana Shnaider, booking her spot in Saturday's final. The 18-year-old controlled proceedings from the baseline, using her aggressive return game to break serve five times in ten opportunities. Andreeva's pressure point statistics told the story of her dominance - she won 11 of 14 serve pressure points while converting 15 of 28 return pressure points against the world No. 8. Despite committing five double faults to Shnaider's five, Andreeva's superior court coverage and shot selection proved decisive in the 6-3, 6-2 victory. The win sets up an intriguing generational clash with 19-year-old Mboko, as both teenagers look to claim their biggest career title. Andreeva saved just one of two break points faced while maintaining constant pressure on Shnaider's serve throughout the 90-minute encounter.
Cocciaretto powers past Ruzic in Hobart
Elisabetta Cocciaretto advanced to the Hobart International final with a solid straight-sets win over Antonia Ruzic, prevailing 6-3, 6-2 in their semifinal encounter. The Italian's aggressive baseline game troubled Ruzic throughout, as Cocciaretto converted five of eight break point opportunities while saving three of four break points faced. Despite the modest ranking difference between the two players, Cocciaretto's superior first serve percentage of 61% proved crucial in maintaining control of service games. The world No. 80 demonstrated excellent composure in pressure moments, winning 10 of 14 serve pressure points while capitalizing on 11 of 19 return pressure points. Cocciaretto's three aces and minimal unforced errors helped her advance to her second WTA final, where she'll await the winner of the other semifinal. It's a remarkable story for the Italian who started her run in Hobart as a qualifier, needing 6 victories to get into final. Losing just one set on the road to Ann Li in Round of 16, Cocciaretto displayed an extraordinary performance throughout whole the week.
Jovic fights back to end Preston's fairytale run
Iva Jovic mounted an impressive comeback to defeat Australian wild card Taylah Preston 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, ending the local favorite's remarkable tournament run. Preston, who had stunned top seed Emma Raducanu earlier in the week for her first Top 30 victory, started brilliantly by taking the opening set. The 20-year-old Australian, ranked No. 204, had been rebuilding her form through ITF events after dropping to No. 266 last September. However, Jovic's experience at tour level proved decisive as the match wore on. The world No. 30 began to find her range in the second set, eventually wearing down Preston's resistance with superior fitness and shot-making. Jovic's break point conversion proved crucial - she won eight of 15 opportunities while Preston managed just six of 11 break points saved. The comeback victory sends Jovic into her first final of 2026, where she'll face Cocciaretto for the Hobart title.
Saturday's action features two compelling finals as the Australian Open warm-up events reach their climax. The Adelaide International will crown a first-time WTA 500 champion when teenage stars Mboko and Andreeva clash, while Hobart's title match pits Cocciaretto against Jovic in what promises to be another entertaining contest.
Looking ahead to Saturday's finals
Saturday's WTA action delivers two compelling finals as the Australian swing continues to build momentum. In Adelaide, rising star Mirra Andreeva faces powerful Victoria Mboko in a clash between two players seeking their breakthrough moment. Meanwhile, Hobart showcases Iva Jovic against the surging Elisabetta Cocciaretto in what promises to be an intriguing battle of contrasting styles. Both matches feature first-time meetings, adding an element of unpredictability to these title deciders.
Youth meets power in Adelaide final
World No. 8 Mirra Andreeva enters her first meeting with Victoria Mboko (#17) carrying impressive hard court credentials, posting a 25-9 record over the past 12 months with a solid 73.5% win rate on the surface. The 19-year-old Russian has shown remarkable composure in pressure moments, saving 61.8% of break points faced - a stat that could prove decisive in a final setting. Her return game has been particularly sharp, winning 40.9% of points against first serves.
Mboko brings a different dynamic to this encounter, averaging 5.3 aces per match compared to Andreeva's 3.7. The Cameroonian has been in scorching form with four straight wins and a 9-1 record in her last 10 matches. Her break point conversion rate of 54.7% edges Andreeva's 49.5%, suggesting she might have the advantage in crucial moments. However, Mboko's troubling 2-6 tiebreak record over the past year contrasts sharply with Andreeva's 5-3 mark - a potentially crucial factor if this final goes the distance.
Both players arrive with current winning streaks, but their paths differ significantly. While Andreeva has maintained consistent excellence throughout 2026, Mboko's recent surge represents her best form in months. The key battle will likely center on serve pressure, where both players save around 60% of break points but Andreeva's slightly superior return statistics could tilt the balance in her favor.
Contrasting fortunes collide in Hobart
The Hobart final presents a fascinating contrast in recent trajectories as Iva Jovic (#30) takes on the resurgent Elisabetta Cocciaretto (#80). Jovic has built solid foundations with a 19-8 hard court record over the past year, showcasing particular strength on second serve returns where she wins an impressive 59.2% of points. Her consistency has been exemplary, posting an 8-2 record in her last 10 matches while riding a four-match winning streak. The teenager continues her upward fortunes, which started after getting first career's main tour trophy in September in WTA 500 Guadalajara. Jovic started 2026 on a front foot, as it's her second consecutive semifinal after Auckland, where the American came up short to eventual champion Elina Svitolina.
Cocciaretto's story is one of remarkable redemption. After struggling to a 6-12 hard court record over the past 12 months, the Italian has caught fire at exactly the right moment, winning six consecutive matches to reach her first final of 2026. Her recent surge has transformed what looked like a disappointing season start into a potential breakthrough moment. The concerning statistic remains her 0-6 tiebreak record, which could prove problematic against Jovic's steadier 5-4 mark in deciding sets.
The tactical battle should center on Jovic's superior second serve return game against Cocciaretto's slightly stronger first serve performance. While both players have identical ace and double fault averages (1.6-1.9 aces, 2.7 double faults), Jovic's ability to extend rallies and win longer points could prove decisive. However, Cocciaretto's current momentum and the confidence that comes with a six-match winning streak cannot be underestimated in a final setting.
Both finals promise compelling tennis as players seek to cap strong weeks with silverware. Adelaide's youth versus power dynamic contrasts beautifully with Hobart's battle between consistency and momentum, providing WTA fans with quality entertainment across two tournaments.