Photo : Camera Work USA
Bianca Andreescu returned to the US Open for the first time since claiming the title in 2019 with a dramatic victory under the lights on Arthur Ashe on Tuesday.
The Canadian, who remains undefeated in the main draw at the year’s final major, came back from a break down in the third set to beat Wimbledon quarter-finalist Viktorija Golubic 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
It was a roller coaster for the sixth seed, who had some moments of brilliance and runs of sluggishness, but as she often did during her incredible 2019 season, the Mississauga-native dug deep, again rallying from a break down as she found a way to win in the third set.
Andreescu fired 40 winners while also committing 36 unforced errors. Golubic had 26 errors to just 15 winners. Ultimately, the difference came down to break point conversion, as the Canadian broke serve four times while only being broken three times. That included two breaks as the Swiss served to send sets to tiebreaks.
It looked to be Andreescu coming quickly out of the blocks with a hold and taking a 15-40 lead on her opponent’s serve, but it was Golubic drawing first blood with a break for a 3-2 lead.
Down a break, Andreescu reminded everyone why she won the title in New York two years ago. From 3-5, 15-all on the Canadian’s serve, the 2019 US Open champion won 12 straight points, including breaking Golubic to love as she served for the set, to turn the deficit into a 6-5 lead.
The Swiss managed to slow her opponent in the following game, but could not stop the freight train that Andreescu had become. Golubic saved three sets points as she served to send the set to a tiebreak, but at the fourth time of asking, the Canadian ripped a massive forehand winner to take her fourth game in a row and wrap up the opening set 7-5.
There was a brief scare early in the second set at 2-all when Andreescu was visited by the doctor due to some apparent nausea, but the Canadian was able to continue.
Once again, Golubic was able to get the first break of the set and this time, despite having to save a break point, was able to close out the set and send the match to a decider.
Andreescu was under pressure in each of her first three service games in the third set, eventually cracking at the third time of asking. However, she responded soon after with a break to love to tie the set at 4-all.
This time, the Canadian did not let the momentum slip away. Just like the first set, she struck as Golubic served to stay alive at 5-6, breaking for the match when the Swiss fired a forehand wide.
Andreescu will meet American Lauren Davis in the second round.
