Miami Open 2019: Bianca Andreescu upstages Angelique Kerber again, advances to fourth round

Mark Suleymanov

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Miami Open 2019: Bianca Andreescu upstages Angelique Kerber again, advances to fourth round image

One week after Bianca Andreescu upstaged Angelique Kerber to win the BNP Paribas Open, the Canadian teen defeated Kerber again. This time, Andreescu beat the No. 4-ranked Kerber in the third round of the Miami Open 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in a match that started late Saturday and concluded early Sunday.

Andreescu, newly minted as the 24th-ranked player in the world, has won 10 consecutive matches, with the latest victory punching her ticket to the tournament's fourth round.

The three-time major champion Kerber was not thrilled with the Canadian sensation after the match.

"You're the biggest drama queen I've ever met," Kerber could be heard saying to Andreescu as they clapped hands at the net.

The statement may have been made out of frustration after the consecutive losses. After all, despite Andreescu winning the first set — and seemingly primed to win in straight sets — Kerber won five games in a row to take the second set and force a decider. And just like in last Sunday's win, the Mississauga, Ont., native used a strong forehand and a series of drop shots to keep the German off balance.

Andreescu also relied on her characteristically strong first serve, winning 67 percent of them while Kerber won just 56 percent.

"Yeah, it wasn’t easy today. Kerber played a really great match," Andreescu said after the win. "I think I took the momentum from the [BNP Paribas Open] final into this match and I expected a lot of good things from her, but I was one step ahead."

Andreescu will enjoy an off-day Sunday before facing No. 21 seed Anett Kontaveit on Monday for a spot in the last eight.

Mark Suleymanov