Bianca Andreescu makes winning return to tennis with win in Stuttgart

For the first time in seven months, the world's heard "Game, set and match, Andreescu."


The 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu made a winning return to the Hologic WTA Tour on Tuesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix with a 7-6(5), 6-3 opening round win against Jule Niemeier of Germany.

The former World No. 4, now ranked No. 121, last played in October at the BNP Paribas Open and told WTA Insider ahead of her season debut that she was considering retirement during her recent break from tennis, but that her competitive fire recently returned.

And that fire was on full display in her 1-hour, 44-minute victory inside Porsche Arena against local favorite Niemeier, where she rallied from 5-3 down in the opener and saved a set point before turning the match around.

Andreescu's assessment: "I felt that it took me a while to get my rhythm, but she presented very good tennis," Andreescu told WTA Insider after the match.

"I'm just super happy with how I dealt with everything; especially towards the end of the match, I felt like I had a clear mindset, but it was definitely very emotional, so to get out of that state was hard, but I'm glad that I managed.

"I got a little teary-eyed at one changeover, because I was like, 'Oh my god, I'm back playing again and I'm feeling good.'"

Andreescu also saved two break points at 5-5 en route to her first clay-court win in nearly a full year. In her tournament debut, she moves on to face No. 3 seed and last year's finalist Aryna Sabalenka for what will be their first tour-level meeting. It'll be just her second match against a Top 10 opponent in three years and first on clay.

"I'm happy to play her finally on the tour at this level," Andreescu said. "She's a hard hitter, she loves her serve, she loves her forehand and she's a great fighter. I'm going to have to bring my 'A' game, because I know she'll bring hers."

Stat check: Andreescu's first match since October couldn't have gone better on the stat sheet, either. She hit 22 winners and six aces to 17 unforced errors and saved 5-of-6 break points she faced, while also breaking World No. 108 Niemeier three times. She's now on a 27-match winning streak against players ranked outside the Top 100.

wtatennis.com  

I have honestly forgotten how much I missed Bianca Andreescu's craft on a tennis court. 

The fact she was able to play so well after a 6 month absence is a huge promising sign, and an indicator of more success to come.

Hopefully this win will be the stepping stone to some good things for her this year.  

I cannot wait for her to meet with Iga Swiatek, now THAT will be a match everyone will want to see in 2022.  

Welcome back Bianca Andreescu, the world of Tennis has really missed you.