Bianca Andreescu’s fairytale run at the BNP Paribas Open continued on Wednesday with a clinical 6-0, 6-1, win over two-time grand slam champion Garbine Muguruza in the quarter-finals.
Playing in the last eight of a Premier Mandatory event at the age of 18 for the first time in her career, the Canadian produced an extremely mature performance. Highlighted by the 16 winners she hit during the 52-minute match.In contrast an erratic and frustrated Muguruza struggled with her shot-making throughout as she leaked 26 unforced errors. A disappointing outcome for the Spaniard, who defeated top 10 player Kiki Bertens 24 hours earlier in the tournament.
“I just stayed focused right from the start. I didn’t have anything to lose today. So I just went for it,I believed in myself and I believe anything is possible.” The world No.60 said during her on-court interview.
The surprisingly one-sided encounter was the latest achievement in Andreescu’s blossoming career. Ending 2018 at 178th in the world, the Canadian has shot to the limelight after reaching her first WTA final in Auckland earlier this year. She has now recorded 26 wins on the tour this season. More than any other woman remaining in this year’s draw. The second highest is Belinda Bencic with 17 (prior to her quarter-final match).
“It’s incredible what I have achieved the last couple of months.” She reflected. “I’m beyond grateful and today I think I just played my best tennis. It was one of the best matches I’ve ever played.”
“I think it all comes down good days and bad days. Today I had a really good day.”
This year is the first time the rising star has played in Indian Wells after being granted a wild card into the main draw. Now she has become only the third woman in history to reach the semi-finals of the tournament as a wild card. Following in the footsteps of Martina Hingis and Serena Williams.
Andreescu, who didn’t feature in the main draw of a WTA tournament until this season, will play either fifth seed Elina Svitolina or Markéta Vondroušová in the semi-finals. Should she win, she would become only the second Canadian player in history to reach the final of the tournament. The first was Milos Raonic in the men’s draw back in 2016.
