Bianca Andreescu produced a stunning upset over former world no. 1 Victoria Azarenka in their first-round match at the French Open on Tuesday. The Canadian came from down a set and a break to thwart the 33-year-old 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that lasted two-and-a-half-hours.
Azarenka held the reins of the match from the start all the way up to the fifth game of the second set. Seeded 18th in the draw, Azarenka had a double-break point to go up 4-1 in the second set. However, Andreescu patiently held on and ensured the match turned in her favour thereafter. After having saved the break points and holding on to her serve, the 2019 US Open winner won the next four games in a row to level the match. In the third set, it was Andreescu who went up an early break and she maintained it long enough – despite Azarenka’s attempts to make a comeback – to see herself through to the second round.
French Open: Upsets pile up
Andreescu finished the match by winning 68% of her first-serve points to Azarenka’s 59%. Of the two, Azarenka faced fewer break points on her serve (7) but Andreescu converted four of these. The world no. 42 faced 16 points across the match but saved all but four of these. Andreescu had 14 more winners than Azarenka’s 33 and three fewer unforced errors than the latter’s 27.
The 22-year-old’s next opponent will be American Emma Navarro. Navarro, who received a main draw wildcard defeated lucky loser Erika Andreeva 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 after a little over two hours.
There were also a couple of upsets along the way at the French Open on Tuesday. Xinyu Wang upset 31st seed Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 7-6(5) in their opening-round clash. Jasmine Paolini prevailed over 30th seed Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. Lastly, Petra Martic notched a comeback win against 32nd seed Shelby Rogers 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
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