Ash Barty has defended her title at the Miami Open after Andrea Andreescu was forced to retire following a fall.
The world No.1 was leading the final 6-3, 4-0, in a match where she got off to a great start and never relinquished control. Much to the frustration of her Canadian rival who suffered a tumble on court during the second set and had to take a medical time out. She continued playing for another game before calling in quite in what is yet another injury setback for Andreescu who was sidelined from the entire Tour last year.
“It’s brutal. It’s never the way you ever want to finish a tennis match,” Barty said following the final.
“I feel for Bianca. She’s had a lot of injuries in her very young career and I think it’s held her back in some of the biggest moments. I Hope from here this will be the first of many battles for us. But you never like to see her injured at all and hopefully she will recover quickly.”
After holding her serve Barty went on the attack right away and earned two breakpoints after it seemed the number eight seed got off to another slow start. She broke with an amazing forehand passing shot to take an early 2-0 lead.
After consolidating the break Andreescu started to find her game a bit and responded by holding serve and getting a break back. However, the Aussie would respond once again by breaking right back to take a 4-2 lead with a winner this time off her backhand.
Barty served out the set to put herself in a great spot to be one set away from the title.
She kept the momentum in the second set and got the early break once again as the Canadian was struggling on serve and double faulted to give her the 2-0 lead.
During the next game there was a scary moment for Andreescu after she lost her footing during an intense rally and slipped and fell. She appeared to be ok initially but then called for the trainer before resuming play.
Resuming play Barty earned two more breakpoints and managed to break once again to take a commanding 3-0 lead. At the next changeover Andreescu took a medical timeout with her foot being taped and wrapped, hoping it would be enough to stay in the match.
However, after holding serve the Canadian decided she could no longer continue and decided to retire. Resulting in Barty winning her 10th WTA title and becoming the first player to win back-to-back titles in Miami since Serena Williams. .
“It is incredible. It is the first time I have defended a title which is really exciting,” Barty commented. “I have so many good memories in Miami.’
“I’m excited, it’s going to kick start a really long season away from home for us (my team) in the best possible fashion.”
There is a silver lining for Andreescu, who is playing in just her third tournament since returning from a knee problem. She will rise to sixth in the world rankings when they are updated on Monday.
“For me, getting back on my feet wasn’t easy but I continued to believe in myself and I never gave up. So for everyone out there who’s going through a tough time, like me right now, I just wanna say keep your head up and continue to believe in yourself,” Andreescu said during the trophy ceremony.
Barty is the sixth woman in history to defend a title in Miami.
