DAY 4 RECAP: KVITOVA MOVES ON, ANDREESCU STORMS BACK, KEYS FALLS
By Tucker Verdi
Miami Gardens, FL — Bianca Andreescu. Remember her name.
It’s likely you won’t have to try very hard, as she will fight tooth and nail to make sure it is everywhere. Not because she is a flashy player. Not because of any glitz or glamour. Not even because she wants you to remember her name.
Simply because she is just really good at playing tennis.
The 19-year-old phenom, who captured her first career singles title less than a week ago in Indian Wells, was down 4-6, 1-5 in her first round match at the 2019 Miami Open presented by Itaú. But she isn’t packing her bags right now, as many who would glance at that scoreline would think. No, she won the match 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2.
In a roller coaster match against Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu, it was the Canadian Andreescu — born to Romanian parents, who dug deep to secure the win. In a gritty and impassioned performance, the rising star overcame a lethargic first half of the match to win in just over two and a half hours. She displayed a resolution and determination that leads one to believe last Sunday’s title was just the first of many to come.
On the women’s side of the draw, No. 17 Madison Keys was the first seed ousted at this year’s Open. She fell in three sets to 2011 US Open singles title winner Sam Stosur, who prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Keys couldn’t find her groove during the first match of the night session on Stadium Court, and slammed her racket down in frustration early on in the second set.
The Australian Stosur moves onto the third round, where she will face No. 12 seed and compatriot Ashleigh Barty, who won her second round match against Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-1.
Also into the third round is 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova, who breezed by Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4. The Czech — seeded 3rd, is looking to add to her great start to the year that includes a title in Sydney and two finals appearances, one being the 2019 Australian Open.
Other seeded players into the third round are No. 7 Kiki Bertens, No. 15 Julia Goerges, No. 19 Caroline Garcia, and No. 26 Donna Vekic, who defeated Xiyu Wang, Magdalena Rybarikova, Victoria Azarenka, and Sara Sorribes Tormo, respectively.
Joining Andreescu in the second round are Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who defeated qualifier Viktorija Golubic in a comeback of her own 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, and Alize Cornet, who went past Vera Lapko 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-1.
Former World No. 1 Venus Williams also advanced to the second round, which you can read more about here.
On the men’s side of the draw, the first round came to a close in what turned out to be a great day for qualifiers and Lucky Losers. Eight of them advanced, including American Reilly Opelka over Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and 18-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime over fellow qualifier Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Lucky Losers Dan Evans and Mackenzie McDonald got a second chance at life and advanced to the second round, getting past Malek Jaziri and Ugo Humbert, respectively. McDonald dueled Humbert into the early morning hours of Friday, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 6(4)-7, 7-6(4).
David Ferrer, in his 16th and final Miami Open appearance before he retires at the end of the year, dominated American Sam Querrey. The Spaniard made quick work of his opponent, winning 6-3, 6-2.
For the full results, click here.
