A year ago, it would have been considered a breakthrough if Canada’s Bianca Andreescu managed to win back-to-back matches at a grand slam tournament. Now only 12 months later, some are naming the big time player as a serious contender for the US Open title.
2019 has been nothing but sensational for the 19-year-old, who was born in Ontario to Romanian parents. Prior to this year, she had never been ranked inside the top 100, won a WTA title or even defeated a top 10 player. The rise began in Auckland at the ASB Classic when she stunned the likes of Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki on route to the final. Her first ever on the WTA Tour, which she lost in three sets to Julia Goerges. It was the first major breakthrough for the Canadian prodigy, who enjoyed a successful junior career during her younger years.
Whilst Auckland was a milestone for Andreescu, it didn’t guarantee that success was on the way. The women’s tour are renowned for their stars, but consistency has been an Achilles heel for many players. It was for this reason why Andreescu remained a rising star, but still an outsider. That was until Indian Wells.
Out of nowhere, she burst onto the main stage of tennis at one of the most prestigious tournaments outside of the grand slams. It was at Indian Wells where she claimed her first ever WTA title. Becoming the youngest winner of the tournament since Serena Williams back in 1999. Suddenly Andreescu moved from a newcomer to a force to be reckoned with. It was during that tournament where former world No.1 Martina Navratilova gave her assessment.
“She’s got all the goods – she just believes in herself. What she can improve the most is the forehand, it gets a little off when she gets nervous, physical fitness – that will just happen, she’ll become more match tough.” Navratilova told BT Sport in March.
“She’s got really great hands, knows when to use what shots. Her tennis IQ, shot selection is really outstanding.”
It hasn’t all been plain-sailing for Andreescu, who has been forced to spend weeks on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury in recent time. In fact, she has only played eight competitive matches on the tour since April.
“I had a really good, I guess, a mini pre-season where I was able to focus a lot on my physique and just focus on other aspects of my game. And not only that, but as a person too. I think I really improved a lot of things,” she commented about her injury break.
“So I’m really grateful for that break, and I think all that preparation is paying off.”
The comeback
Given her time away and lack of preparation, it is rare to name a player who is yet to break the top 10 to win a grand slam title. However, she isn’t an ordinary player. Playing at the most high-profile tournament in her country, the Rogers Cup, Andreescu exceeded expectations. Back-to-back wins over two top five seeds guided her towards the final. Then she ended Canada’s 50-year wait for a champion after her opponent, Serena Williams, retired due to injury three games in.
Regardless of Williams’ retirement, Andreescu’s ability to score a string of wins in her comeback tournament is one few players can manage to do. Within an eight-month period, she has gone from playing her first WTA Final to winning two Premier titles. Inbetween those titles, she had an injury break amounting to almost five months.
“I’m officially a fan,” Williams said of her opponent. “She’s an old soul. She’s only 19. She definitely doesn’t seem like a 19-year-old. Her words on the court. Her game. Her attitude. Her actions.”
Andreescu’s meteoric rise has been compared to that of Naomi Osaka, who also won her first WTA trophy in Indian Wells back in 2018. However is she ready for grand slam glory? Despite her lack of tournaments in recent time, it is hard to say no. The Canadian has played a top 10 player seven times this season and has won all of those encounters.
There is no doubt that the Canadian is a big-time player and looks fearless when taking on the biggest names. It is for this reason why she can’t be ruled out as a top contender. A somewhat surreal statement about a player who wasn’t even ranked high enough to gain entry into the US Open main draw back in 2018.
Andreescu’s wins over top 10 players in 2019
1. Caroline Wozniacki (No. 3) – Auckland Open, New Zealand 6–4, 6–4
2. Elina Svitolina (No. 6) – Indian Wells Open, United States 6–3, 2–6, 6–4
3. Angelique Kerber (No. 8) Indian Wells Open, United States 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
4. Angelique Kerber (No. 4) Miami Open, United States 6–4, 4–6, 6–1
5. Kiki Bertens (No. 5) Rogers Cup, Canada 6–1, 6–7(7–9), 6–4
6. Karolína Plíšková (No. 3) Rogers Cup, Canada 6–0, 2–6, 6–4
7. Serena Williams (No. 10) Rogers Cup, Canada 3–1 ret
