WATCH: Daria Kasatkina consoles teary-eyed Mirra Andreeva after teenager's heartbreaking Ningbo Open final loss

Daria Kasatkina rushed to console a devastated Mirra Andreeva following the latter's loss to the former in the final of the recently concluded Ningbo Open. Kasatkina emerged victorious after a three-set battle against her 17-year-old compatriot.

Kasatkina locked horns with Andreeva, their maiden WTA Tour-level meeting, for the Ningbo Open title on Sunday, October 20. The former, seeded No. 5 at the WTA 500 event, got off to a flying start as she cruised to a comprehensive 6-0 first-set win. However, World No. 19 Andreeva stormed back into the contest to level things up after clinching the second set 6-4.

Ultimately though, it proved to be Daria Kasatkina's day as the former World No. 8, currently ranked 11th, took the third and deciding set 6-4. The third-set victory did not come easy though. Kasatkina found herself 0-3 down at one point and on the verge of going 0-4 down. However, she displayed miraculous powers of recovery to win it in the end.

During the trophy presentation ceremony, Mirra Andreeva couldn't contain her disappointment and broke down into tears on stage while delivering her speech. Upon seeing her compatriot in this emotional distress, Kasatkina made her way to the 17-year-old and the two shared a long embrace.

Watch the moment unfold below:

The 2024 Ningo Open final was an opportunity for Andreeva to win her second WTA Tour-level title. She won the Iasi Open, a WTA 250 event in Iasi, Romania, in July this year. However, her most impressive result on tour this season was arguably her shock quarterfinal win over World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 French Open.

Mirra Andreeva makes honest admission about facing Daria Kasatkina in Ningbo Open final

Mirra Andreeva (Source: Getty)

Ahead of the final, Mirra Andreeva had spoken up about her close relationship with Daria Kasatkina and how facing her 27-year-old compatriot would be a difficult prospect.

"I know that tomorrow’s going to be a great match. [Kasatkina] is a fighter, she’s won her last matches fighting. And of course, I think we’re kind of good buddies, so that’s going to be a hard match mentally and physically as well," Andreeva had said.

Following the conclusion of the final, Kasatkina herself assessed the match and lauded Andreeva's never-say-die spirit. She also admitted that her performance in the third set was a "miracle."

"She's (Andreeva) this kind of player who never gives up, and to win any point, you have to almost die on court. It was the case, and honestly I feel like it's a miracle, the third set," Daria Kasatkina said.

Andreeva's win-loss record on the WTA Tour this season now stands at 34-15. Meanwhile, Kasatkina's win-loss record is now 39-21 for the year.