Just two weeks removed from winning his historic 100th career title, Roger Federer goes for No.101 on Sunday, as well as his record-breaking sixth title in Indian Wells. Dominic Thiem stands in his way, and is vying for the biggest title of his career. On the women’s side, Angelique Kerber has three Majors to her name, but is yet to win a Premier Mandatory event such as this. Her opponent is one of the biggest surprise finalists in recent memory, an 18-year-old wild card who started the year ranked 178th in the world.
Angelique Kerber (8) vs. Bianca Andreescu (WC)
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In just her eighth career WTA-level event, Andreescu has reached a Premier Mandatory final. It’s an astonishing run from a player with so little experience playing against the game’s elite. The first few months of 2019 have changed her life. She started the year having to qualify just to get into the Auckland main draw, yet reached the final of that event. After also qualifying for the Australian Open, she won a challenger title in Newport Beach, and reached the semis in Acapulco. Now she’s won six matches in Indian Wells, including three straight wins over top 20 opposition. Her run here is reminiscent of Naomi Osaka’s from a year ago. Osaka came into the 2018 Indian Wells event ranked 44th in the world, and having never won a WTA title. A year later, she’s the world No.1, and has triumphed at the last two Majors. Is Bianca ready to win an event of this magnitude? It’ll be tough in her first-ever meeting against a player of Kerber’s magnitude.
“Kerber is an incredible fighter. She redirects her shots. Like, she can hit any shot at any time in any specific place whenever she wants. She has a pretty decent serve. She’s a good mover, great fighter.” The Canadian told reporters on Friday.
Andreescu is coming off a physically and emotionally draining semifinal against Elina Svitolina, where Bianca fought off the onset of cramps at multiple times during the third set. She let out a lot of emotions after that dramatic win, and coming back less than 48 hours later for the biggest match of her career is a big ask. Kerber should be the fresher of the two, as her semifinal with Belinda Bencic was about half as long. Angelique will take over the No.2 ranking with a win today, which seems like the most probable outcome. As great as Andreescu’s shot-making has been, Kerber will diffuse a lot of that. And experience should be a key factor for the 31-year-old German.
“I think It will be a good match on the high level, and I know I have to also play my best tennis, especially in the important moments” – Kerber
Quick facts
- Andreescu is the youngest Indian Wells finalist since Kim Clijsters back in 2001
- Kerber will rise to world No.2 is she wins the title. Andreescu, who ended 2018 at 178th, will rise to a best of 33rd
- Andreescu will earn a minimum of $686,000 for reaching the final. Entering the tournament, her career prize money stood at $350,909
- Kerber is the first left-handed woman to contest a final in Indian Wells since Monica Seles back in 1992
- Andreescu is only the fifth unseeded player to reach the final in the history of the tournament
- Kerber hasn’t lost to a player ranked outside the top 50 since Alison Riske at the 2018 Mallorca Open
