ANDREESCU BEATS KERBER IN LATE-NIGHT THRILLER
By Tucker Verdi
Miami Gardens, FL — Call her butter because she’s on a roll.
It seems like nothing can stop the 19-year-old tennis sensation that is Bianca Andreescu. Just three weeks ago, she was a wild card entry at Indian Wells who had yet to record a WTA-level main draw win in her young, fledgling career. Then, something miraculous happened.
The young Canadian wowed and thrilled on her way to her first WTA title, and “Biancamania” was born.
In the final at Indian Wells, Andreescu played three-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber. The odds were stacked heavily in the 30-year-old German’s favor, but Andreescu was having none of it; she won 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Little did the fierce competitors know, the tennis gods had plans for them to meet again very soon. In the third round of the 2019 Miami Open presented by Itaú, Andreescu and Kerber played a rematch that ended at 1:28AM in the early morning hours of Sunday. As in the desert, Andreescu came out on top, this time 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Andreescu acknowledged her opponent, saying after the match, “Kerber played a great match, but I took the momentum from Indian Wells into this match and I was one step ahead.”
In what could be called the match of the year thus far on tour — packed with lengthy baseline rallies, perfectly-placed drop shots, and reaching overheads, it was hard for one of the two players to break away from the other for most of the match.
Asked what proved to be the difference maker, Andreescu said, “My fighting spirit. I took my chances in the third.”
The thinned yet boisterous crowd cheered on the young star as she smashed autographed tennis balls into the stands.
“The crowd was amazing today, thank you for coming out and supporting.”
Andreescu moves onto the fourth round of her second consecutive Premier Mandatory event, where she will face No. 21 seed Anett Kontaveit on Monday.
Get your tickets to see that match and more here!
