The Canadian made her Madrid debut by beating the American in three sets for her first win the Spanish capital.
Bianca Andreescu is into the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open after beating the American Alison Riske in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 in one hour and 56 minutes on Aranxta Vicario Stadium court.
The Canadian hit 27 winners and one ace in a match that was a battle for almost two hours in the Madrid sun.
“Compared to last year this year is much better, last year I was quarantine when I caught Covid so to be here actually playing the tournament is incredible and it was my first time on this court and I really enjoyed it.”
The first two games of the match went with serve and at 1-1 it was the Canadian with the first two chances to break and broke to take a 2-1 lead but the Pittsburgh native broke right back the following game.
At 3-3 the Toronto native had three more breakpoints and managed to break the American to love and that break was enough for her to serve out the first set winning set point with a stunning backhand winner.
The world number 42 had a better start in the second set breaking the Canadian at love to take a 2-0 lead and turned that into a double break and was up 5-0 in a flash.
That’s when the world number 111 fought back and got a break back but it wasn’t enough as Riske served out the second set and send the match into a third set.
The 2019 US Open champ continued to fight and battle and after holding her opening service game had four chances to break and at the fourth time of asking broke with a scintillating forehand return winner for the early 2-0 lead.
Like her opponent in the second set she turned that break into a double break and was able to serve out the set not losing a game in the set and secured her first win of the tournament.
After her match in her on court interview she was happy with the win but recognized how tough it was to get past her opponent.
“I am very happy that I got the win, I started the playing better in the third set compared to the second but I am not too sure what happened in the second set but she did play better but I am happy I was able to pull it off in the end.”
Andreescu will next face another American in Danielle Collins who beat Monica Puig in straight sets 7-5, 6-0.
