Bianca Andreescu: Yet To Lose To A Top 10 Player And Ready To Dash Williams’ US Open Dream - UBITENNIS
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Bianca Andreescu: Yet To Lose To A Top 10 Player And Ready To Dash Williams’ US Open Dream

The giant-killing player has her eyes set on the ultimate prize in New York.

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Bianca Andreescu US Open 2019 (photo Twitter @USOpen)

It seems surreal that Bianca Andreescu has achieved history in only her fourth main draw appearance in a grand slam tournament.

Taking on Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in the semi-finals of the US Open on Thursday, the 19-year-old battled to a 7-6(3), 7-5, win during what was a roller coaster encounter. After coming  through a tough opener, she recovered from a 1-4 deficit in the second set by breaking Bencic four consecutive times on route to the milestone victory. Becoming Canada’s first ever singles finalist at Flushing Meadows.

“It wasn’t easy at all. She hits the ball really hard and really flat I think every shot. My knees were to the ground. I think it wasn’t too fun playing her. But that’s what makes her such a great player.” Andreescu said of Bencic.
“I’m just really glad with how I managed that. I tried to change the rhythm as much as possible. That was the goal right from the beginning of the match.’
“But it wasn’t easy. When someone is hitting flat and deep, it’s hard to do that. But the main reason I won I think is because I just kept fighting. I never let up.”

The win is the latest stage of Andreescu’s meteoric rise in the world of women’s tennis. Prior to this season, she had never broken into the world’s top 100 or won a WTA title. Yet over the past nine months she has blossomed into one of the most notable players in the sport. It all started back in January where she reached the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, which she lost to Julia Goerges. Gaining in belief and momentum, two months later she won her first trophy in Indian Wells before claiming the Rogers Cup trophy in August. Even more impressive was that between those two titles, she was sidelined from the tour for almost five months due to injury.

“I’ve always dreamt of this moment ever since I was a little kid. But I don’t think many people would have actually thought that it would become a reality.” She said of reaching her first grand slam final.
“I think for me, it all started in Auckland, then in Indian Wells. I just kept believing in myself. But I think that moment after the match, I was just in shock. At the same time I fought really hard to get to this point, so I really think I deserve to be in the finals on Saturday.”

One notable thing about the teenager is her confidence. She feels like she deserves and belong to play in a major final. Speaking candidly in her press conference she said she would have ‘believed’ somebody if they tipped her to reach a grand slam final leading into this year’s tournament.

Serena awaits

Andreescu has become somewhat of a big time player. She is yet to lose against a top 10 player after winning all seven of those meetings. More notable was six out of those seven victories took place on North American hard courts.

In order to claim the biggest title of her career, Andreescu needs to get past Serena William in the final. Somebody who won their maiden US Open title the year before she was even born. Their only previous meeting on the tour lasted just 19 minutes after Williams was forced to retire due to injury.

“I remember watching her when I was about 10. I don’t remember specifically a moment. I watched her win most of her Grand Slam titles.” She said of the former world No.1
“I think she’s fighting for her 24th on Saturday. I’m sure she’s going to bring her A game.’
“I’m going to try to bring my A game, too. Hopefully I guess may the best player win.”

Despite her rapid rise, Andreescu heads into the final as very much the underdog. Given the fact it is Williams’ home grand slam and that she has a wealth of experience. However, she refuses to accept anything less than victory. Providing a glimpse of the mentality that has helped her achieve so much success this season.

“I think it’s just inside of me somehow. I think it’s just my passion for the game, as well. I don’t like to lose, so I just try my best every match.” She explained.
“I expect a lot from myself, so I think that pressure also helps me do my best in matches.”

The women’s final will take place on Saturday.

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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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