WTA Miami: Nice that Bianca Andreescu is getting going again
With her second-round win against Maria Sakkari, Bianca Andreescu gave a loud sign of life in Miami. Now it's against Sofia Kenin.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Mar 26, 2023, 08:04 am
At this point, the theory has often been put forward that women's tennis is urgently dependent on the successes of Cori Gauff and Emma Raducanu. Because these two players have a lot more to offer than just solid basic strokes and strong footwork: namely charisma. And humour.
We now want to add Bianca Andreescu to this very short list. The Canadian, who won the titles in Indian Wells, Montreal and above all at the US Open out of nowhere in 2019, was almost forgotten due to her difficult injury history. But by advancing to the third round in Miami, Andreescu has already ensured her return to the top 30 female pros in the world.
Kerber rows back
During that season, Angelique Kerber sometimes referred to Andreescu as a "drama queen", as an opponent who makes a lot, yes: too much, out of small injuries on the court. Kerber immediately rowed back, but in fact there is always something going on in Bianca Andreescu's matches. Playfully and tactically, she is a good deal ahead of her colleagues Gauff and Raducanu, athletically, on the other hand, Andreescu is at a disadvantage, especially against Gauff (on the other hand: who else isn't besides Iga Swiatek?).
Andreescu's games are actually always respectable. Because you don't know what to expect. Here comes the forehand slice. And as a tactical means and not born out of dire need. Andreescu, still only 22 years old, is looking for ways to win no matter what it looks like. It remains to be seen whether that will be enough against power hitters like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina in the long run.
Andreescu with a positive record against Kenin
The next task in Miami is therefore reasonably friendly: Sofia Kenin, like Bianca Andreescu, already has a Grand Slam title in her pocket (at the beginning of 2020 at the Australian Open), but the American, like Andreescu, lives more on it Finesse because of their stroke speed. In any case, Andreescu has every reason to be optimistic about the game against Kenin: The Canadian leads 3-1 in head-to-head.
The other two hopefuls have already said goodbye in Miami: Bianca Andreescu herself was responsible for Emma Raducanu's exit. And Cori Gauff had to admit defeat to Anastasia Potapova on Saturday.
Here is the individual tableau in Miami
miamimap