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.

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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.

Bianca Andreescu forced to retire with ankle injury in Miami final

Bianca Andreescu has another injury, ending her best tournament since capturing the U.S. Open title in September 2019.

The Canadian retired with a right ankle injury after falling behind 6-3, 4-0 against top-ranked Ash Barty of Australia in the final of the Miami Open on Saturday.

The eighth-seeded Andreescu, from Mississauga, Ont., tumbled to the court in the third game of the second set and struggled with her movement after the fall. She was wearing tape on the right ankle for the entire final of the WTA 1000 event — one level below a Grand Slam.

Andreescu called a medical timeout to receive treatment from the trainer after Barty finished the game with a break to go up 3-0.

She returned for one more game, but wasn’t moving well. Afterward, she put her hand to her face as she tried to hold back tears before going to the net to greet Barty and end the match.

The 20-year-old Andreescu returned from a 16-month layoff in February at the Australian Open, losing in the second round of the Grand Slam. She suffered a knee injury late in 2019 and opted not to try to make a comeback earlier in the pandemic in 2020.

The 20-year-old Canadian followed up her first tournament back by reaching the semifinals of an event in Melbourne for players eliminated early from the Australian Open, but a leg injury suffered there kept her out until Miami.

Andreescu will rise three spots to No. 6 in the world rankings next week.

After winning four three-set matches in a row to reach the final, Andreescu struggled to find any rhythm against Barty in their first career meeting.

Andreescu has exited early in both appearances in Miami with injuries — her only two losses in North America since the start of 2015.

Barty, the 2019 French Open champ, won her 10th career title and earned US$300,110 of the $3.26-million total purse. Andreescu pocketed $165,000.

Barty overpowered Andreescu early to jump in front 3-0 before the Canadian found some rhythm and broke back to cut the deficit to 3-2.

But on Andreescu’s next service game, the Australian responded. Two winners after Andreescu fought off two break points put Barty up 4-2 for the decisive break. The world No. 1 then won every point on the ensuing serve game to take charge of the first set.

Andreescu is scheduled to take most of April off. Before the match, her agent, Jonathan Dasnieres de Veigy, said Andreescu is scheduled to return for WTA 1000 clay-court events in Madrid (April 29-May 8) and Rome (May 10-16) before playing in the French Open (May 23-June 5).

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The tennis gods just will not give Bianca Andreescu a break when it comes to injury will they?.

I will admit I did not know what to expect from her this tournament, in fact didn't expect much at all. Even though she did well in Australia she did have a leg issue in the semi final.

But in the end she surprised everyone except herself. Her amazing self belief is just one of the reasons she draws you in as a fan of the sport.

The more difficult the opponent the better she plays. It's honestly quite something to witness even on tv.

There were so many fantastic matches this tournament, the WTA for once not being overshadowed by the ATP became the real highlight throughout.

But Andreescu's matches were the ones everyone seemed to be talking about the next day. She made Miami even more enjoyable than it promised to be with the packed top field.

You tuned in just to see how she would do each round. And she just kept on delivering.

In some grueling physical contests, so I suppose the fact that her body give out a bit at the vey end wasn't as big of a shock.

Anyone would after over 12 hours on court. But my heart still broke for her. What she did this week was nothing short of extraordinary and she should be extremely proud.

It looks like the injury is not too serious since she was able to move. But I'm glad she stopped when she did.

Rest up and get well Bianca.

And keep your head up, Tennis is a better sport with you in it.

I cannot wait to see your drive, passion and grit shine on court again.

Congrats on an amazing week. See on on the clay at the end of April.

Bianca Andreescu fights past Sakkari to set up 1st meeting with Ash Barty in Miami Open final

More than 18 months after she won the title at the 2019 US Open, Bianca Andreescu will again play for a trophy.

In a semifinal match that began on Thursday night, finished in the wee hours of Friday morning and was packed with drama throughout, the No.8 seed came out victorious against No.23 seed Maria Sakkari, 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and 42 minutes to advance to Saturday's Miami Open final.

"Against her, I had no choice but to run for everything that I could and just fight until the end because that's what she was doing. She was really taking control of the points a lot of the times. It was really tough, I'm not going to lie," Andreescu said on-court after the match.

"My whole game plan was to try and do that because I knew she was going to do that, and it could've been either of us winning. I'm just super happy that I pulled through."


Already a winner at Indian Wells, Toronto and New York in her career to date, Andreescu will look to add another big title on North American soil to her resume when she takes on World No.1 Ashleigh Barty, the winner of the last Miami event played in 2019, for the first time.

Momentum shifts abounded for the two players over the course of their first career meeting, as each was in position to win the sets that she lost.

Having saved two set points in the first-set tiebreak, winning a set where she led 4-1 early the long way, Andreescu built a set and a break lead — but later found herself four points from defeat late in the match's third hour.

Buoyed by the momentum from edging the opener, Andreescu opened up a 3-1 lead in the second set, breaking serve at 1-1 as Sakkari served up a double fault. Undaunted, the Greek flipped the script by playing relentless, physical tennis from the baseline, and secured five straight games and send the match to a final set.

Sakkari was the first to break serve in the decider, but her 4-2 lead soon became a 5-4 deficit as Andreescu refused to give in. Nonetheless, a love hold and a break from 30-0 earned the Greek an opportunity to serve for the match, and a place in her biggest career final.

She'd never get to match point, however, as Andreescu broke serve to love, and built a 6-2 lead in the tiebreak to secure a fourth three-set victory in five matches this week.

"I have a lot of experience in these tough three-setters and digging through and finding a way," Andreescu told reporters at her 3 am press conference. "Sometimes I literally feel like I'm an octopus out there running side to side, I feel like I have eight legs. It's insane. Sometimes I don't even know how I get to some shots. But it's that fighting spirit I have always had in me, never giving up.

"Through experience you learn to find ways to deal with circumstances like this. It's really showing. Me playing with my back against the wall really brings out my best tennis."

In addition to the fact that Andreescu and Barty have never played, Saturday's match will also be the Canadian's first career meeting with a reigning World No.1.

"It's everything," Andreescu said, when asked why she was looking forward to playing Barty. "Her being No.1 and her doing really, really well. Her game style, as well. It's something I have never really experienced. I love a challenge, and I know she's going to challenge me on Saturday, so it's a mixture of everything.

"I know it's going to be really tough. She's playing great tennis, and I hope I can be on my A-game."

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Bianca Andreescu really is the 3 set queen. Four 3 setters in one tournament is just outrageous I still have no idea how she won this one. 

But this is why I love watching her play. The grit she shows when her back is against the wall is unmatched. 

To say I'm looking forward to her playing in a final against defending champ & world #1 Ash Barty would be the under statement of the year thus far. 

I'm honestly ecstatic just thinking about it.

Yes please.

Welcome back Bianca Andreescu, the world of tennis is richer with you on the tour. 

Is it Saturday yet?. 

Bianca Andreescu outlasts her opponent to reach Miami Open semis, faces Sakkari

Pushed to the limit once again at the Miami Open, Bianca Andreescu passed another test with flying colors.

In two hours and 36 minutes, the No.8 seed beat Sara Sorribes Tormo in the last of the tournament's four quarterfinal matches, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 — becoming just the third player to beat the in-form Spaniard in a third set this year to round out the semifinalists.

“After the first set, I was honestly so tired, but we both fought really hard," Andreescu said on-court after the match.

"She’s an incredible fighter. I have no idea how I pushed through, but I fought as hard as I could and I’m super happy.”

Andreescu battled back from a 3-0, double-break deficit to seal the opening set, but a string of seven straight breaks in the middle set saw her taken the distance for the third time in four matches this week.

In set two, Sorribes Tormo's decisive service hold came by winning two straight points at 30-30, as a 23-shot rally, ended when an Andreescu forehand found the net, sealed the game in her favor.

The Spaniard was the only player to hold in the middle set, breaking for a fourth and final time to push the match to a decider, but lost serve three times from 2-2 to ultimately be beaten.

Andreescu's effusive praise for the Spaniard, who'll crack the Top 50 as a result of her best-ever performance at a WTA 1000 event, continued in her post-match press conference.



She plays very different than most of the players on tour. She's difficult to play because of that. You don't always get the same rhythm. She gets to a lot of balls. That's what I told her at the net. I was, like, 'Girl, you can run. You're crazy.' I told her that she played amazing and that we're gonna be seeing a lot of you. She just said, 'Thank you and good luck.'"- Bianca Andreescu on Sara Sorribes Tormo

In all, the Canadian struck 42 winners, more than double Sorribes Tormo's total of 17, but also totaled 42 unforced errors to the Spaniard's 21. The two players combined to break serve 17 times in the match overall.

"She doesn't give you pace at all. Those high, heavy balls, you really have to generate your own. That consists of a lot of leg power, arm power, you're putting your all into it. Because if you just give, like, a ball with nothing on it, she's going to take advantage of that," Andreescu said.

"So it's always you having to generate your own pace. That was for sure tiring towards like the end of the second set. Like I'm sure many people could see that. Trying my best not to show it, but sometimes it's really hard, especially in these conditions.

"I never played her before. It's hard to really tell how a player plays online rather than you actually playing them. So I think I got caught off-guard just a little bit. I thought her ball would be a bit more heavy and deep... I feel like I was going for too much at the start, but then I figured it out and I changed my game plan basically.

"I adjusted. And then the match was just super up and down, like at one point she was on fire, and then I was on fire, and it just kept going like that. It could have been either one of our matches. For me, the main thing today was fighting harder than her. I say that a lot, but I know that she is an incredible fighter, so that was the main goal and I did that."

With the victory, Andreescu advances to her second semifinal of the season, and third at WTA 1000 level in her career.

She'll next face Greece's Maria Sakkari for the first time for a place in the final.

"I watched a little bit of that match. She played really well. Like, she was just dominating right from the start. Naomi wasn't quite there," Andreescu said.

"But she's coming off a great win. I mean, I'm coming off a pretty great win too. I'm sure she's very confident, and I have watched her play many, many times so I kind of know what to expect, but obviously it's different once I step out there.

"I'm just gonna have to adjust with what I know now and what I am going to see on the court. But I know it's going to be a battle, and I'm really looking forward to it."

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Bianca Andreescu escapes Muguruza to reach Miami Open quarters

A resurgent Bianca Andreescu and an ascending Sara Sorribes Tormo will face off for a spot in the semifinals of the Miami Open after both players earned three-set victories in the fourth round on Monday night.


In a match between two Grand Slam champions, Andreescu cooled off the in-form Garbiñe Muguruza, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the pair's second career meeting, while Sorribes Tormo downed Ons Jabeur, 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 to continue her best-ever run at a WTA 1000 event.

"It was really tough. She started out playing really, really well. I don't think I was at the level I wanted to be right at the start of the match, because I knew she was going to come out really, really strong, and that's what she did," Andreescu told reporters after the match.

"But I had to re-adapt, which I did in the second set. I regrouped. I kept fighting. I changed my game plan a little bit as well. And it worked."

A set down and staring at a 15-40 deficit on serve at 1-1, Andreescu ripped off nine of the next 11 games to wrestle command of the match, and sealed victory in two hours and 11 minutes.

"I felt like at the beginning I wasn't as consistent. She was just playing really, really well, as well, on top of that," Andreescu continued.

"But I felt like I was going too much on her forehand in the first set, so I kind of regrouped and I tried to pick what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. I just told myself, 'Okay, her backhand was still really good but I'll pick on that a little bit more.' That made a big difference."

Behind 34 winners and four breaks of serve, Andreescu snapped Muguruza's eight-match winning streak and earned a third consecutive win in Miami, her second time doing so in three tournaments played this season.

"I feel it was like a very tight match. I felt I had many opportunities," Muguruza said in defeat. "I had opportunities in the second set to take the lead. I just didn't convert them.

"So far, [it's] probably my best start of the year, and I'm happy about that. I take the positives. I know right now it is a tough moment, but in five minutes, I'm just going to change my mind and just look ahead to the clay court [season] which is my favorite surface. I'm happy with the way I'm playing."

Dating back to her breakthrough season in 2019, Andreescu is now 22-2 in her last five WTA 1000 events, and seeks to reach the semifinals in Miami for the first time when she faces the Spanish No.2 Sorribes Tormo.

"It's always satisfying getting that three-setter, especially after losing the first set. So to me what I was super happy about that match was how even when I'm down, and I knew this about myself," Andreescu said.

"Even when I'm down I know I can find a way. Most of the time, not all of the time. Most of the time, I can always find a way and come back and do really, really well.

"I keep proving that to myself, and it's really nice to get that under my belt. I felt super, super pumped the whole match, considering everything that's been happening. I'm just super, super happy."

After Andreescu took down the tour's leader in wins, improving her head-to-head against Muguruza to 2-0, she and Sorribes Tormo will play for the first time.

"I have seen her play. I know she gets to a lot of balls," Andreescu said. "She has a very heavy spinny ball. She's a crazy fighter. I want to go out there and fight even harder and hopefully I can do good things."

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Bianca Andreescu wins first meeting vs Anisimova to reach round of 16 in Miami

Sunday's night session at the Miami Open saw Bianca Andreescu win a much-anticipated first professional meeting against Amanda Anisimova, and Ons Jabeur flip the script in the latest chapter of her recent rivalry with Sofia Kenin.


Despite being peers and foes in the junior ranks, 2019 US Open champion Andreescu and 2019 French Open semifinalist Anisimova had never before played as professionals, but their first meeting proved one to remember: in a titanic two hours and 45 minutes, Canadian edged a 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-4 affair to reach the round of 16.

"My game, I know that it can be better, but I'm trying to find ways to push through on my off days, and I think I'm doing that well," Andreescu assessed after the match.

"I think that's what makes a really good player, and I'm trying to be that really good player like I was in 2019. I did that today, and I just want to fight and give it my all and then the rest will come."

Andreescu needed over an hour to seal a one-set lead in the encounter, as Anisimova saved all 10 break points she faced across four service games in the opener.

From 7-6(5), 2-0 up, Andreescu found herself headed for a final set as Anisimova played her best tennis in the closing stages of the second, even after receiving medical attention for blisters on her hand. The American twice held serve to stay in it, trailing 5-4 and 6-5, and won five of the first six points of the ensuing tiebreak.

After she also received a medical timeout when trailing 2-1, the decisive break for Andreescu came in the fifth game of the final set, and she was never challenged on serve from then on.

"I felt very good mentally before the match, and then on the court I felt really good. It's hard playing a player that she's super erratic. She just slaps every ball, but she slaps it very well. I don't want to say that in a bad way. But she's a really good player," Andreescu said.

"It was tough. I was getting to a lot of balls I thought I couldn't even get to. But that just shows that all the preparation that I'm putting in is really paying off."

Andreescu will have a quick turnaround up next as she faces Garbiñe Muguruza on Monday evening for a spot in the quarterfinals. The Canadian dominated in the pair's last meeting at a WTA 1000 event, a 6-0, 6-1 win in Indian Wells in 2019 - a tournament that Andreescu went on to win.

"I'm going to do my best with treatment, best with food, best with sleep, all that stuff. I have been here before. I have played tough matches like this [and] had to play the next day, so I kind of know what to expect," Andreescu said.

"I have to be on my A-game tomorrow because I know Muguruza is very tough to play."

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Bianca Andreescu makes triumphant return in Miami

Grand Slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin sealed safe passage through to the third round of the Miami Open as day turned to night on Friday.


In her first match in five weeks, 2019 US Open champion Andreescu twice trailed by a break in the opener and saved two set points before securing a 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Czech qualifier Tereza Martincova in one hour and 52 minutes.

"I felt really good mentally out there. That's the one thing I feel like I was struggling a little bit in Australia, but I was just super positive and I fought for every ball no matter what the score was," Andreescu said after the match.

"In the first set she had set point, but I just kept fighting, and I think that was the thing I was most proud of. I felt that in the first set I wasn't as consistent as in the second set, but I think that tiebreaker really said a lot, because I started putting more pressure. I was getting to a lot of balls.

"In the second set, you could tell that she became a little discouraged, and she started going for more shots. But that's part of my game style. I want to be very physical out there. I don't want to let any ball go and just never give up. I think that says a lot today in the match, and it showed."

Andreescu will next face No. 28 seed Amanda Anisimova, who overcame Sloane Stephens in an all-American second round encounter, 6-3, 6-3. Peers in the juniors, Andreescu and Anisimova have never played on the professional tour.

"I practiced actually with her the other day. I didn't know I was playing her. But I think it's going to be a great match," Andreescu said.

"She hits very flat, so I have to be ready for everything. She has a very good serve, but I'm feeling good out there and I think it's gonna be a very good match."

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Bianca Andreescu makes triumphant return to tennis at Aussie Open after 15 month absence

Australian Open Facebook

Much like Bianca Andreescu's game, there was a little bit of everything in the Canadian phenom's triumphant return at the Australian Open on Monday. Playing her first match in 15 months, the 20-year-old defeated Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to earn her first win at a Slam since lifting the trophy at the 2019 US Open.

There was the dominant opening set, which saw Andreescu unleash every shot in her varied arsenal to take the set in 30 minutes. As Buzarnescu raised her level and adjusted to Andreescu's pace and patterns in the second set, Andreescu began to trip herself up with poor decision-making and was taken to a third set in a match that seemed fully in her control.

"After the match I sat down with my team a little bit, and I'm like, 'Oh, guys, here we go again, those three-setters,' and they just started laughing because they obviously knew what they were getting themselves into," Andreescu told reporters after the match.

"But those matches are super good for me in my opinion because it really shows that I can scramble when I really need to, or if there's some pressure I can dig my way through it somehow. When my back is against the wall, not only today, but I've noticed throughout my last couple tournaments in 2019, I've been able to pull through with those."

That signature competitive grit that the world saw at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open, where Andreescu's sheer refusal to lose seemed to will her through her stunning run to her first WTA title and trigger one of the most surprising breakout seasons on the WTA Tour, was on full display in the final set.

Down triple-breakpoint to Buzarnescu at 3-3, 0-40, Andreescu found her rhythm. She landed her first serve and constructed three perfect points to hold. Andreescu immediately broke in the next game and closed it out cooly at love.

"I remember during my match against Angelique Kerber in the finals, I had that same kind of roller coaster of a match, and I was down 40-Love on my serve," Andreescu said. "It was in the third set. Around the same score, too.

"I was just thinking about that and how calm I was during that match, so I was telling myself, 'Oh, stay calm, stay cool, just put your first serve in' because I think my first serve today was very effective, which I did.

"It also happened against Serena, too. It wasn't the only time I did it, so I kind of have a little bit of a feel of how it is to be in that situation, but I was super, super relieved to get that game because I'm sure things would have been different afterwards."

Two distinct themes arose when Andreescu sat with reporters three days before the start of her tournament. First and most importantly, she was healthy and had been training full for a long period before landing in hard quarantine when she landed in Melbourne. Learning from past mistakes, when she played through injuries only to trigger long-term issues, Andreescu had played things cautiously. She withdrew from last week's Grampian's Trophy to continue her work on the practice court, not due to any concerns over her body.

The second theme? As much as she will try and fight it, Andreescu is as competitive as ever. Any professional athlete making a return after 15 months away would be forgiven if they met the moment with trepidation or insecurity. Yes, Andreescu paid lip service to those impulses, repeatedly telling reporters that she did not know what she could expect from herself in her first match back, but deep down, the 20-year-old could not deny her ambition. And when push came to shove in the third set against Buzarnescu, Andreescu found another gear.

"I do know that I am stronger in many different ways than I was before, so I do know I can be just as good if not better than I was in 2019 in every aspect," Andreescu told WTA Insider. "But I won't know for sure until I actually go out there because it's a different story practicing and doing things in competition.

"I have high hopes for myself. I'm healthy first of all, and I know if I'm healthy I can get out there and compete at my best.

"I am being a bit kinder to myself, yes, because of all that time off. But I also want to do very well and win. So I still have those goals for myself. But yes, I'm a little bit kinder. If I lose - and I don't want to think like that - but if I do, I won't be as hard on myself."

Maintaining an even keel was key to Andreescu's incredible 2019 season, which saw her start the season outside the Top 100 and win Indian Wells, Toronto, and the US Open while also dealing with injury during the clay and grass season. There were highs and lows, but Andreescu did well to keep it all in perspective, not surprising from a player who relies heavily on meditation, visualization and imagery. That outlook again paid dividends during her 14-day hard lockdown in Australia.

"I really do believe that everything happens for a reason, as cliché as that might sound," Andreescu told reporters. "I try to focus on the things I can control. I can't stress that enough. I always say it. But that really helps me stay less stressful than if I don't follow that rule.

"I try to kind of use these things and think of these things as an advantage towards me, my body, my mind. For instance, I trained for, like I said, five months before that, so maybe it was a good thing for my body to rest a little bit and my mind, too. I was able to do other things, like play my XBOX, just read a little bit more, focus on myself, just enjoy my time off."

In addition to sessions of Call of Duty with friends and strangers, Andreescu spent her quarantine rewatching her old matches from that magical 2019 season.

"It was inspiring," Andreescu told WTA Insider. "I realized I was super motivated, super hard-working during those matches. I did not let up. I fought until the last point. I played my best tennis.

"I really got into the mood, into the mindset. I felt the same things like I did in 2019, which I think really helps me just get in character.

"I don't normally like to do that. But I think it was good for me since I haven't played for so long. Hopefully that can help me bounce back on the court quicker."

On Wednesday, Andreesc will play crafty Hsieh Su-Wei, who played the best match of her season so far to defeat US Open quarterfinalist Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5, 6-2. Andreescu's first priority will be to see how her body pulls up after a tense and grinding three-set match.

"I feel surprisingly pretty well," Andreescu said. "I had an ice bath, I did those recovery boots, and then playing in a Grand Slam you have the day off tomorrow. I mean, I'm going to practice a little bit, but that definitely helps.

"I have played [Hsieh] before, so I kind of know what to expect. It's been over a year and a half now. Things have changed.

"But I feel pretty good considering my match today going up against her. I know it's not going to be easy, though. She's a pretty crafty player, so I think that's going to be a fun match."

Before the tournament, Andreescu was asked if she had a message for fans who have been champing at the bit to see her return to competition.

"I want them to know that I am ready to go," she said. "I've put everything in the past in the past and I'm ready to start a new chapter this year."

wtatennis.com

The 15 month wait has been excruciating, but turned out to be completely worth it. Because boy was it nice to have Bianca Andreescu back on a tennis court.  I found myself smiling the entire time she was out there. 

Her court craft, but especially her fighting spirit when her back is against the wall is unmatched. And it just reinforced why tennis needs someone like Andreescu in the game. 

Someone who has so much self belief they will fight till the very last ball no matter what the score and somehow manage to come out on top. 

Very few players have that ability. She just has a presence on the court that is so enjoyable to watch. 

It was especially great to see her healthy and without any strapping on her body for the first time since she made her mark. 

Welcome back Bianca. Canadians, and the world of tennis has really missed you. :)

Bianca Andreescu eliminated from WTA Finals due to knee injury

SHENZHEN, China-No.4 seed Bianca Andreescu will decide on Thursday whether or not to continue her participation at the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen after suffering a left knee injury that had her retiring after the opening set against Karolina Pliskova, 6-3 (ret).

Leading No.2 seed Pliskova by an early break, 2-0, Andreescu ran for a forehand return in the third game of the match and immediately stopped the point, sinking to the ground with a grimace before taking a medical time out. The Canadian continued to play, but ultimately retired after losing the opening set.

“I stepped weirdly on a return,” Andreescu explained in her post-match press conference. “I heard my knee crack. It kind of went inwards. Putting pressure afterwards on it really bothered me. I could barely bend my knee. But I fought with the pain as much as I could.

“At some point an athlete has to say 'stop' and just listen to their body. That's what I did.”

“It's disappointing 'cause this is the last tournament of the year, you want to go all out,” she added. “You're playing one of the biggest tournaments of the year, too. It's not easy.”

Despite the acute pain, Andreescu - who fought through back pain in her opening match against Simona Halep - explained that her first impulse was to keep playing.

“Actually I've never had a during-match injury happen before, other than spraining my ankle, but that was back in 2015. Honestly, I really didn't know what to do,” she said. “I've fought through pain before, but this was different. It was like very acute.

“But it's the last tournament of the year. I just told myself, Push it as much as you can. You're going to have a good break after this. But yeah, maybe I could have pushed it more. I don't know.

“My team said no. It was good that I stopped. Honestly, I could have kept going. If I did, then I would just be, like, whining on the court. I don't want that. I've done that enough,” she added with a wry laugh.

It’s a disappointing turn of events for Andreescu, who is competing in her first WTA Finals after a breakthrough season catapulted her from outside the Top 100 in the rankings to the game’s highest echelons.

She was one of the most dominant players after lifting trophies at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Rogers Cup in Toronto - becoming the first Canadian in the Open Era to win at home - before lifting her first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

But her season was abbreviated by injury as well, with a right shoulder injury keeping off of the tennis courts from Miami in March, missing the grass court season and Wimbledon before returning in Toronto.

“Some injuries are just inevitable,” Andreescu said. “It's the athlete's job, team's job, to just try our best to prevent as much as possible.

“It's a long season. It's not easy day in, day out. But I love doing this, so I'm just going to keep fighting.”

wtatennis.com


Well damn, my excitement for the WTA finals has just decreased considerably. 

I'll still be rooting for either Simona, Bencic or Kvitova to win it (out of the 3 I think Simona might have the biggest shot at it), but I'm so disappointed the year had to end on such a sad note for Bianca Andreescu.

She's provided some amazing play throughout the year and it's such a shame she can't end it on a high. 

I really hope she decides not to play her last group match, and just takes the time to rest, recover and comeback stronger for 2020. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing how she plays on grass next year. Get well soon Bianca.

Ladies of the WTA test their 2019 Tennis Knowledge at WTA Finals

I love how Simona completely forgot she was #1 at the beginning of the year. :D

To be fair I would honestly have to look each one of these up to remember who won what, it was a busy season with such a variety of winners.

Also Bencic answer on Pliskova's # of aces is my fave response to a question this year :D.

These ladies are so fun. Always love seeing them be themselves off the court, that's when their personalities really shine.

Canada finally has their first Grand Slam Tennis Champion @ U.S. Open!

NEW YORK, NY, USA - Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu capped off her breakthrough 2019 season with Grand Slam glory at the US Open, playing indomitable tennis to survive 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, 6-3, 7-5 to win her first major title.

Andreescu hasn't lost a completed match since February, and the Rogers Cup champion withstood a late hiccup to extend her winning streak to 13 straight and become the first Canadian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era, winning after one hour and 39 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Williams, who broke Stefanie Graf's Open Era record of Grand Slam singles titles at the 2017 Australian Open, was making her fourth attempt to tie Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 after finishing runner-up at the last two Wimbledon Championships and 2018 US Open final.
Bianca Andreescu became the first Canadian in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title, shocking 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in straight sets.

Dropping just one set en route to the final, Williams, who spent 14 months away from the sport to marry and give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, looked to begin with a strong service hold.

The BNP Paribas Open champion, undaunted in the face of the biggest match of her career, flipped a 40-15 deficit to break off a double fault from the American.

The American initially remained within one break and aimed to pump herself up after saving a whopping five break points in the seventh game. Down break point on her own serve, the No.15 seed gamely saved it and broke once more in the next game to capture the opening set.

With a quick break to start the second, Andreescu shook off losing a long service game of her own to reclaim the initiative and race out to a 5-1 lead, holding her first championship point on serve.

Williams saved it and put on a brave last stand, winning 16 of 20 points to level the set as nerves set in for the teenager. With her back against the wall, Andreescu stopped the run of games to again put herself within four points of victory.

Striking a forehand winner for 15-30, Andreescu earned two more championship points when Williams ended a long rally with a backhand error. Saving a second match point off an ace, the American couldn't save a third as Andreescu batted a way a forehand winner to clinch victory.

In all, it was a clean match from Andreescu, who struck 18 winners to 17 unforced errors, converting five of 12 break point opportunities while winning a solid 64% of first serve points.

Already set to make her Top 10 debut regardless of result, Andreescu is tentatively set to move up to No.5 on Monday's rankings.

wtatennis.com

I haven't been talking about Bianca Andreescu much this year when I really should have because the rest of the world certainly has!. 

She has been on a remarkable run this year, that seemingly came out of nowhere. 

And she topped it off with the first ever Grand Slam title for Canada, against none other than Serena Williams. 

It doesn't get better than that. 

Her poise and composure reminds me so much of a teenage Martina Hingis it's uncanny. 

Granted Hingis never had the same type of power on her shots, but the way she's able to out play and out smart opponents with variety is so similar. 

I would even go as far as saying she's like a cross between Martina Hingis and Simona Helap. 

Her slides on hard court remind me a lot of Kim Clijsters. They're so fun to watch. 

That relentless fighting spirit against opponents in the top ten is just remarkable. 

When she lost the 5-1 lead in the second set after having won the first and Serena got back to 5-all I thought, oh no now Serena will make the comeback in the 3rd and that will be the end of that. 

But Bianca held her nerve and broke Serena again to win it in straights. That is mental resilience of the highest order. The kind you need to win all the big titles. 

It'll be interesting to see how she handles it all now. There's going to be so much attention on her, and with so much success eventually you get a target on your back.

I'll be very curious to see how the rest of this season ends for her after this. 

But for the moment I'm just going to bask in the happiness of the first ever Canadian Grand Slam Champ, courtesy of a 19 year old from my hometown. 

Take a bow Bianca. Outstanding ♥