Bianca Andreescu only needed one set and three games to advance at the Italian Open after Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from their match down 7-6, 2-1.
The Canadian finished produced a total of three aces and won 86% of her first serve points in a match that look one sided from the beginning as the Brit didn’t look comfortable at all on the red clay of Rome.
“I came into the match with a very positive mindset. I knew it was not going to be an easy match,” said Andreescu. “Whatever she was going through, I obviously hope her a speedy recovery, but I was just very happy with how consistent I was with my performance. Even with the medical timeout, I didn’t let that distract me.”
“I didn’t know she was going to retire. That like completely threw me off. I do wish her a speedy recovery and hope I can keep the same energy in the next rounds.”
The first two games went on serve and at 1-1 the Toronto native had several chances to break. She managed to convert to take an early 2-1 lead.
After consolidating the break Andreescu was able to turn that break into a double break breaking the Brit with an impressive return winner. At 5-2 Raducanu called the physio and took a medical timeout off court.
The world number 90, who jumped up 21 spots after her performance in Madrid and Stuttgart the last two weeks, was able to serve out the first set to love and took a 1-0 set lead.
Just like the first set the first two games of the second were identical with both players able to hold their service games and again it was the Canadian putting pressure to get the early break.
Andreescu had two chances to break and she set them up with a powerful return winner once again and broke to take a 2-1 lead. At the changeover Raducanu called the physio again.
After a brief discussion where the physio offered treatment again the number 10 seed decided to call it and the match was over.
Andreescu will now face Nuria Parrizas Diaz. The Spaniard was able to pull off the upset against her fellow Spaniard Sara Sorribes Torbo after her opponent also retired due to injury. This will be a first time meeting between the two players.
