Bianca Andreescu Reaches Milestone US Open Semi-Final Despite ‘Not Playing Her Best Tennis’ - UBITENNIS
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Bianca Andreescu Reaches Milestone US Open Semi-Final Despite ‘Not Playing Her Best Tennis’

The world No.15 reflects on her latest performance as she becomes the first Canadian player in 35 years to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows.

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Bianca Andreescu allo US Open 2019 (photo Twitter @USOpen)

Canadian rising star Bianca Andreescu believes there is room for improvement following her win over Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

The 19-year-old battled back from a set down to edge out Mertens 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to become the first player from her country to reach the last four of the New York major since 1984. In what was the one of the most important matches of her blossoming career, Andreescu overcame some lacklustre patches of play to prevail with the help of 39 winners as she broke her opponent four times.

“I just told myself to keep fighting and hope that I can switch things around basically. I tried to stay more aggressive than the first set, and I felt like I was missing a lot in the first set, as well.” Andreescu reflected on her performance.
“I saw that she (Mertens) was picking on my backhand a lot, so I tried to go more down the line with my backhand so she can go back to my forehand so I can use my forehand, because I like my forehand.’
“I just told myself to just keep fighting and to not give up. That was the main thing.” She added.

Andreescu’s latest victory continues what has been a remarkable season for her. This time last year, she lost in the first round of qualifying at the US Open and was ranked outside the top 200. However, she has burst onto the tour this season by winning prestigious titles at both Indian Wells and the Rogers Cup. Furthermore, she is yet to lose to a top 10 player in 2019.

Whilst Relishing in her rapid rise, a critical Andreescu isn’t completely happy with how her form is at present. When questioned about the level of her play on Wednesday, she admits that she is yet to reach her best form. Even though she is currently in the middle of her best grand slam run.

“I’m going to be honest. I don’t think I played my best tennis. I just fought really well with what I had every single day. I think that’s the most important thing for me, and I’m sure for every athlete you’re not going to have good days every day.” She explained.
“So I just try my best to figure out what’s going well and what’s not and just go from there.”

Two wins away from the title, Andreescu is trying to keep grounded over the prospect of becoming Canada’s first ever grand slam singles champion before her 20th birthday. By reaching the semi-finals she has also booked a place in the world’s top 10 on Monday for the first time in her career.

The next challenge for Andreescu will be Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, who will also be contesting the last four of a major for the first time. Bencic secured her spot with a 7-6(5), 6-3, win over Donna Vekic. She she wins, a potential rematch with Serena Williams looms. Williams will play Elina Svitolina in her semi-final match.

“At this point I think anyone can win the tournament. The other semifinalists are incredible athletes, tennis players. So I know it’s not going to be easy tomorrow, and if I win tomorrow, in the finals, as well.” She said.

The upcoming match will be the first meeting between Andreescu and Bencic.

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Coco Gauff And Aryna Sabalenka Struggle Through In Indian Wells Openers

The duo were pushed to three sets in their first matches played at this year’s WTA 1000 event.

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Coco Gauff admits she didn’t play her best tennis at Indian Wells on Saturday after coming through a rollercoaster three-set battle. 

The world No.3 needed more than two hours to oust France’s Clara Burel 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). Gauff found herself trailing multiple times during the match. After losing the opening set, the reigning US Open champion then had to battle back from a 0-4 deficit in the decider. Capitalising on some tentative hitting from Burel who was bidding to record the biggest win of her career. 

Despite prevailing, it was a far from vintage performance from Gauff who hit six double faults and 14 unforced errors during the first set alone. She also struggled behind her second serve, winning just 12 out of 36 points played. 

“I think for me it’s just getting through that match definitely meant a lot,” Gauff said. “Could have easily thrown in the towel. But honestly, I was just telling myself, like, win or lose, I don’t want to have any regrets on the court. I want to be like I gave myself the best opportunity to win, and I did that.
“Am I proud of how I played? Not really, to be honest. But the fight, I am proud of. I am eager to improve. I think it wasn’t my best tennis at all. I think I just have a lot of improvement that I can do to get better.”

The 19-year-old has become the first teenager in the last 15 years to have won 50 or more matches at WTA 1000 events. She will next play Lucia Bonzetti.

“That’s pretty cool,” Gauff commented on her latest milestone. “I feel like I have a lot of stats and stuff like that. Hopefully I can close this chapter of my life off good. I’m really happy with how my teenage years went.” 

Sabalenka avoids major upset 

Aryna Sabalenka was another player to experience trouble during their opening match after outlasting Peyton Sterns 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (8), in a clash that lasted almost three hours. The world No.2 was on the verge of losing and had to save four match points when down 4-5 in the final set. Despite that blip, she held her nerve to break back before prevailing in a tightly contested tiebreaker. 

“Wow, I think I was right when I see this tattoo of a tiger and I was fighting today like a tiger,” said Sabalenka. “It’s just crazy what happened. She’s an unbelievable player.
“She played crazy tennis. She said at the net, ‘I had you,’ so she’s right. I was probably a little bit lucky to get this win. Super happy to get through this.”
“I didn’t play my best tennis and she was crushing it like crazy. I was just trying to stay in the game and keep fighting for every point. But this match definitely goes into the book of craziest matches and the best matches of my career.”

Sabalenka is hoping to go one step better in Indian Wells than 12 months ago when she reached the final before losing to Elena Rybakina, who has pulled out of the tournament due to gastrointestinal issues. 

Awaiting the Belrussian in the next round will be Emma Raducanu in what will be the first meeting on the Tour. 

Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka posted a convincing 7-5, 6-3, win over world No.15 Luidmila Samsonova. It is the first time she has beaten a top 20 player since returning to competitive tennis following the birth of her child. 

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Caroline Wozniacki Expresses Delight After Vekic Win, Ons Jabeur Crashes Out

Caroline Wozniacki earned a big win over Donna Vekic at Indian Wells while Ons Jabeur crashed out.

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Caroline Wozniacki is into the third round at Indian Wells after toppling Donna Vekic 7-6(3) 6-3 while Ons Jabeur crashed out.

The former Australian Open champion produced a resilient and clinical display to knock out Vekic in straight sets.

It was a clinical display on return as Wozniacki neutralized the Croatian’s serve to break on three occasions to reach the third round.

Speaking after the match Wozniacki described Indian Wells as one of the best tournaments in the world and was happy with the performance, “Donna is a great competitor, great player. I thought we both played really well today. Just happy to be through this one,” the 33 year-old told the WTA website.

“I’m here because I love to be here. You know, I’m lucky enough that I have been given some wildcards so I’m able to play these big tournaments and compete against the best players in the world.”

Wozniacki will now face Katie Volynets in the third round after the American stunned sixth seed Ons Jabeur.

The world number 131 recorded the biggest victory of her career against the out-of-sorts Tunisian in a 6-4 6-4 win.

In an interview after the match Volynets described how much it meant to her to beat one of her idols, “I’m so honored to have a wild card here and I’m so honored to play Ons,” the wildcard told the WTA website.

“I’ve been watching her on TV for years so it’s just such an honor to play here on this court against such a wonderful player. I’m definitely pleased with how I was able to execute today.

“I think it was very close the entire time. She was throwing in some amazing drop shots and slices and injecting some pace. I’m glad I was able to overcome that.”

The winner of Wozniacki and Volynets will play the winner of Veronika Kudermetova against Angelique Kerber.

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Simona Halep To Make Tennis Return In Miami

Simona Halep has a wildcard into the Miami Open.

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Simona Halep will make her return to tennis in Miami after receiving a wildcard for the tournament.

The Romanian hasn’t played competitively for 19 months with her last appearance being a first round defeat to Daria Snigur at the 2022 US Open.

After her appearance in New York, Halep would be banned for four years from competitive tennis after failing a doping test.

A lengthy appeal process followed from Halep which eventually saw her ban reduced by the Court Of Arbitration For Sport to nine months, therefore allowing her to resume competitive tennis with immediate effect.

It hasn’t taken long for Halep to make her next step as the Romanian announced on Instagram that she has received a wildcard for the Miami Open.

It will be interesting to see what shape Halep is in as it would have made more logical sense for the former Roland Garros Champion to begin her comeback on clay.

The 32 year-old has made nine appearances in Miami and her best performance has been reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019.

Time will tell whether Halep can repeat her past success with the Miami Open starting on the 19th of March.

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