Photo : Martin Sidorjak
Bianca Andreescu is settling in nicely on the clay.
The former US Open champion upset Australian Open runner-up and sixth seed Danielle Collins at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday morning, riding her impressive return to a straight-set victory in the second-round encounter.
Once she got rolling, there was no stopping Andreescu, who used a combination of power and consistent shot-making to frustrate her American opponent, at one point winning ten consecutive games in the 6-1, 6-1 win.
Andreescu was the more consistent of the two, as Collins hit 33 unforced errors to the Canadian’s nine, as well as six double faults. The return was a huge difference in the match, with Andreescu winning 62 percent of her opponent’s service points, 52 percent of first serves and 72 percent of second. She also saved five of six break points she faced.
It briefly looked like Collins was going to get off to the stronger start as she held serve in the opening game and then reached break point in Andreescu’s first serve game.
But from there, it was one way traffic from the Canadian, who saved the break point with a big serve and hit two return winners in the next game to get the first break of the match. Once ahead, there was no stopping Andreescu, who won six straight games to take the opening set in less than half an hour.
The Canadian kept rolling in the second set, stretching her run to 10 consecutive games as she broke twice on her way to a 4-0 lead. However, it came to an end when Collins managed to reclaim one of the breaks in the fifth game.
Andreescu quickly turned around and got the break right back in the following game to move ahead 5-1. Despite a push from Collins, the Canadian was able to wrap up the blowout on serve after just an hour and nine minutes.
For a spot in the quarter-finals, Andreescu may have to play a third consecutive American if 12th seed Jessica Pegula beats Kaia Kanepi later on Sunday.
