Photo : Tennis Canada
The round of 16 kicked off today at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, where four Canadians remain present in tournament. Bianca Andreescu, along with Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, and Gabriela Dabrowski (in doubles with Mexican GIuliana Olmos) are playing tremendous clay-court tennis so far this week in the Italian capital.
Bianca Andreescu, who is ranked 90th in the world rankings, faced world No. 47 Petra Martic of Croatia. This was their first-ever meeting and one that will not be forgotten by Andreescu fans. Martic, who reached her first WTA 1000 semi-finals match in this same tournament just last year, wasn’t able to earn the upper hand on the young Canadian. The pair had a very steady back and forth throughout the match, however, Andreescu was able to come out on top, winning in straight sets 6-4 6-4, and booking herself a trip to the quarter-finals.
The 2019 US Open Champion had a remarkable opening set, hitting four aces, landing 73 per cent of first serves in play, and saving all three break points she faced. In the second set, Andreescu was able to get the job done, keeping 71 per cent of her first serves in play and winning 69 per cent of those points.
Andreescu will next take on world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland in the quarter-finals. Swiatek is the youngest ranked player in the top ten and is on an incredible winning streak, winning her last 25 matches. This will be Andreescu’s first quarter-finals match since the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May of 2021.
