FRANCE – MAY 28: during his mens singles first round match against during Day two of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28
A delay couldn’t stop the inevitable.
After showing signs of rust and dropping the opening set on Monday, Bianca Andreescu rallied from behind to defeat Czech lucky loser Marie Bouzkova 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 for her first-ever victory in Roland-Garros’ main draw. The match, delayed on Monday after two sets because of darkness, resumed on Tuesday morning in Paris, with the third and deciding set left to play.
It was there that Andreescu picked up where she left off, attacking Bouzkova’s serve in the opening game of the third set and scoring three straight winners to earn an early break. Then, after Bouzkova broke back and held her serve for the first time since the opening set, the Canadian rallied to regain her lead.
With the third set tied 4-4, Andreescu scored her ninth and final break of the match – before she held serve to secure her maiden victory in the main draw of the French Open.
The winning moment.
Those winning feels.#RG19 #BiancaRising pic.twitter.com/7lnGNIrvOi— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) May 28, 2019
The 18 year old was also playing in her first competitive match since retiring in the fourth round of the Miami Open back in March. That two-and-a-half month lay-off seemed to affect Andreescu’s play early on. In the opening two sets, the Canadian struggled at times. Facing set point and serving to force a first-set tiebreak, Andreescu missed on a big forehand, which gave her Czech opponent the early advantage.
But the World No. 23 fought back, starting in the second set. After both Bouzkova and Andreescu traded nine-straight break points, the Mississauga native managed to hold serve to force a third and decisive set, before the match was delayed due to darkness.
Andreescu’s come-from-behind victory against Bouzkova also marks the 7th different time this season she has won despite losing the first set.
ROLAND GARROS: (22) Bianca Andreescu fights through, wins resumption third set 6-4 – final score 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 v No. 118 lucky loser Marie Bouzkova. Next on Thursday will be old rival Sofia Kenin of the U.S. – H2H is 2-1 for BA. Impressive today how BA was tough at crunch-time
— Tom Tebbutt (@tomtebbutt) May 28, 2019
Next up, the Canadian will face American Sofia Kenin in the second round, with a potential third-round matchup with Serena Williams up ahead. Andreescu and Kenin most recently met in the second round of the Miami Open, where the Canadian won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
(Feature photo: Mauricio Paiz)
