Bianca Andreescu vs. Belinda Bencic results: Canadian continues historic run, advances to U.S. Open final

Jackie Spiegel

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Bianca Andreescu vs. Belinda Bencic results: Canadian continues historic run, advances to U.S. Open final image

"Dominant force."

"She's a fighter." 

"She's definitely coming in here with some confidence."

"She's on fire when she's on the court."

These are just some of the comments WTA players have made when discussing the biggest story in tennis — Bianca Andreescu. On Thursday night, the 19-year-old 15th seed exemplified those observations as she defeated the 13th seed, Belinda Bencic, in their semifinal in straight sets, 7-6(3), 7-5.

"A lot of emotions are running through my body right now. A lot of thoughts, too. But right now I'm just trying to take in the victory of tonight," she said in her postmatch presser. "Hopefully, I can just keep the momentum going for the finals. Hopefully I can play a little bit better than I did today."

Andreescu and Bencic were on serve for the first set before needing a tiebreaker to decide. The Canadian jumped out to a 5-0 lead but let Bencic creep back before winning the set on a forehand unforced error by the Swiss player. Things did not go according to plan for Andreescu to start the second as Bencic held 4-1 and 5-2 leads and was able to finally figure out how to break her foe, who, in the end, saved 10 of 13 break point chances.

Showing such poise and fight for someone so young and early in their career, Andreescu fought back: She won the final five games to seal the victory. Andreescu finished the match with 40 winners to just 16 for Bencic; however, she definitely was "going big or going home," as evidenced by her 38 unforced errors. With seven aces (nine double faults), Andreescu won 70 percent of her points on first serves and 9 of 13 at the net.

She will now face the legend, Serena Williams, who has 23 total Grand Slam championships including six U.S. Open titles — her first was in 1999, before Andreescu was born. The two met in the Rogers Cup final in early August, with the 37-year-old Williams having to retire because of a back injury. 

"I remember watching her when I was about 10,"  Andreescu said. "I watched her win most of her Grand Slam titles. I think she's fighting for her 24th on Saturday. I'm sure she's going to bring her A-game. I'm going to try to bring my A-game, too . . . may the best player win."

Andreescu, a native of Mississauga, Ont., has already had quite a year: a championship at the 125K Series event in Newport Beach, Calif.; a win at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament, the first wild card to do so; and another WTA Tour title at home (Toronto) at the Rogers Cup. In between, she battled a shoulder injury that forced her to retire in the Round of 16 in Miami and the second round of the French Open. She withdrew before Wimbledon started. 

It has been more than six months since the phenom lost a completed match — she's now up to 23 straight — and has become the first Canadian to play in the U.S. Open's championship match. Reminder: This is also her first appearance in the main draw. She was the fourth woman to reach the tournament semis in her debut.

"I've always dreamt of this moment ever since I was a little kid. But I don't think many people would have actually thought that it would become a reality," she said. "I think for me, it all started in Auckland [going to the final there], then in Indian Wells. I just kept believing in myself. But I think that moment after the match, I was just in shock. At the same time, I fought really hard to get to this point, so I really think I deserve to be in the finals on Saturday."

Andreescu was the first Canadian to reach the U.S. Open quarters since Patricia Hy-Boulais lost to Monica Seles in 1992. She was the first Canadian semifinalist since Carling Bassett lost to Chris Evert at the 1984 U.S. Open, and only the third overall (Lois Moyes in 1909) and the first Canadian woman to play in a Grand Slam decider since Genie Bouchard at Wimbledon in 2014.

There has never been a Grand Slam singles champion from Canada; Andreescu is now thisclose to being the first.

Sporting News tracked live scoring and highlights from the Andreescu-Bencic semifinal match below.

(15) Bianca Andreescu def. (13) Belinda Bencic, 7-6(3), 7-5

(All times Eastern)

Second set: Andreescu wins 7-5

Andreescu wins 7-5

It took three match points, but Bianca Andreescu is in the 2019 U.S. Open final. Off a second serve, she hits a deep forehand that Bencic cannot return. Andreescu puts her hands to her head in shock as she comes back to win in straight sets.

Andreescu leads 6-5

Probably the point of the match gives Andreescu a 30-15 lead in this game. She is scrambling and hits a lob that lands on the baseline; Bencic returns the ball long and the crowd is loving the play of the 19-year-old. Andreescu takes the lead in the set when Bencic hits a backhand long.

Will we see the first Canadian in a Grand Slam final since Bouchard at Wimbledon?

Set tied 5-5

What a comeback by Andreescu. Not only was she trailing 4-1 and 5-2, she also came back in the 10th game after Bencic went up 30-0. She got Bencic to commit back-to-back unforced errors on the backhand and then double-fault to tie the set. Bencic looks rattled after the game as the crowd is clearly behind the Canadian.

Andreescu trails 5-4

Andreescu holds serve easily, winning in five points. She won one of the points at the net with a forehand volley. She has won 8 of 11 points at the net; Bencic 11 of 18.

Andreescu trails 5-3

The two continue to trade breaks as Andreescu wins to inch closer. Andreescu with four big winners to take the game, including one passing shot, a backhand winner and a forehand winner. She now has 36 winners to Bencic's 13.

Andreescu trails 5-2

Up 40-15, Andreescu can't hold serve as she double-faults, Bencic tracks down a drop shot, Andreescu hits a backhand into the net and then, after a long rally, Andreescu hits a forehand into the net. She again taps the racquet on the court in frustration.

Andreescu trails 4-2

The teenager breaks back easily, finishing the game with a cross-court forehand winner and big "Come on!"

Andreescu trails 4-1

In another long game with Andreescu serving, Bencic gets the break when the Canadian hits the ball into the net off a long rally. The game went to three deuces and Andreescu gave Bencic a break point chance with her seventh double fault; she saved that one with an ace.

Andreescu trails 3-1

Bencic holds serve once again, this time only needing only five points to go up two games. She had her first ace of the night; Andreescu has five thus far.

Andreescu trails 2-1

Yet another break point saved by Andreescu as Bencic hits the ball into the net off a long rally to get the game back to deuce. Bencic then hits a backhand long to set up game point, which the Canadian gets as she finishes with an overhead off a desperation shot by Bencic.

Andreescu trails 2-0

Bencic holds easily, needing only four points as Andreescu hits four shots on her backhand that do not land in.

Andreescu trails 1-0

Andreescu gets broken for the first time in the match to start the second set. She saved one break point opportunity; however, Bencic, who was 0 for 7, finally gets a break as Andreescu hits an unforced error long on the forehand. Andreescu is not happy as she drops the racquet in frustration.

First set: Andreescu wins 7-6(3)

Andreescu wins tiebreak 7-3

The Canadian storms out to a 5-0 lead but lets Bencic creep back in with her fifth double fault, a forehand forced error and a backhand winner by the 23-year-old. But the Swiss semifinalist then falls apart; she makes another forced error on her forehand and sends a forehand long after a rally.

Set tied 6-6

An hour into the match, and Andreescu evens it with an ace. She has won 84 percent of her points when she gets her first serve in.

Andreescu trails 6-5

Once again, Bencic holds. The teenager, however, is dominating, with 23 winners to Bencic's nine. Unfortunately, it's the opposite when it comes to unforced errors; the Switzerland native only has eight and the Canadian has 19.

Set tied 5-5

The Mississauga, Ont., native has a chance to even the set but double-faults for the second time in the game (fourth overall); however, she again does not let Bencic break her as she delivers a forehand winner. After Bencic hits a forehand long for ad in, Andreescu fires an ace down the T to even the set.

Andreescu trails 5-4

Still on serve as Bencic holds after Andreescu holds off one game point. Bencic did appear frustrated at times in the game but is now one game away from taking a one-set lead.

Set tied 4-4

Andreescu appears to injure her left knee on the first point of the game. She is seen flexing the knee and trying to shake off the discomfort throughout the game. The knee didn't bother her too much, however, as she won the game easily in four straight points.

Andreescu trails 4-3

Bencic holds easily — needing to play only five points — as Andreescu struggles with her return game.

Set tied 3-3

Down two break points, Andreescu battles back to get the game to deuce. After five deuces and one break point saved, Andreescu wins the game with a forehand cross-court winner. Bencic is now 0 for 5 when she has break point opportunities.

Andreescu trails 3-2

Match stays on serve. Bencic holds when the Canadian puts a slice backhand into the net. Andreescu is now up to 10 winners and eight unforced errors. By comparison, Bencic has three winners and four unforced errors.

Set tied 2-2

Andreescu battles back from 0-30 down to make it 40-30 with her second ace of the night. Bencic, though, stays poised and evens the game at deuce as an Andreescu backhand goes long. After Andreescu holds off two break-point opportunities for Bencic, she finally wins on her second game point with a perfectly disguised drop shot.

Andreescu trails 2-1

Andreescu has one of the best returns in the game but sails one long and hits two others into the net in this game. 

Set tied 1-1

On serve as Andreescu also holds easily. She evens out her winners-unforced errors with three winners, including two off returns from Bencic; she also gets her first ace of the night.

Andreescu trails 1-0

Bencic holds serve easily as Andreescu has three unforced errors to start the match — two on her backhand and one on the forehand.

Pregame

8:51 p.m. — Bianca Andreescu walks out onto the court. She is focused. She is ready. It is go time.

8:30 p.m. — Serena Williams defeats Elina Svitolina. Andreescu is up next on Ashe.

8 p.m. — Getting out her prematch jitters.

6:18 p.m. — Warming up on the practice courts next to Arthur Ashe.

6:01 p.m. — Heading out to get warmed up.

4:41 p.m. — Game recognizing game.

4:30 p.m. — #BiancaRising

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

no limits

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Jackie Spiegel