Teen clash as Mboko faces Andreeva for title in Australian Open warm-up

ADELAIDE - Teenage talents Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko will clash for the title in the Adelaide final on Saturday, the eve of the Australian Open.

The 19-year-old Canadian Mboko needed just 59 minutes to thrash Australia's Kimberly Birrell 6-2, 6-1 on Friday.

In the other semi-final, Russia's 18-year-old Andreeva was also an emphatic winner over compatriot and friend Diana Shnaider, 6-3, 6-2.

Andreeva admitted to pre-match nerves and said she had to pretend she was playing someone other than her doubles partner.

"It could have gone either way, I'm happy how I was brave and went for my shots," she said.

Mboko and Andreeva are two of the fastest-rising stars in women's tennis.

Andreeva is ranked eighth and already has three titles to her name.

Mboko is at a career-high 17 in the world and is one victory away from her third title.

She won last year in Montreal and Hong Kong. She rose more than 300 ranking places last season.

Mboko defeated reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the Adelaide quarter-finals.

"I really haven't set goals for myself yet, but getting that fast up in the rankings, you have to adapt really fast," said Mboko.

The Australian Open starts on Sunday.