For the first time in the Rogers Cup, Canadian Bianca Andreescu was able to win in straight sets after her first four matches all went the distance.
Coming off an injury and playing over nine hours this week, Andreescu was able to turn the tide in semis and make quick work of her opponent. The 19-year-old defeated No. 28 American Sofia Kenin, 6-4, 7-6(7), in front of a Toronto crowd Saturday to advance to the Rogers Cup final.
"I’d say this was even bigger than winning Indian Wells really," Andreescu told WTA on-court following the victory.
The Mississauga, Ont. native became the first Canadian woman to reach the final for the first time in 50 years.
“Life is freaking amazing!”
— WTA (@WTA) August 10, 2019
Needless to say, an emotional @Bandreescu_ is delighted to be in the @rogerscup final! pic.twitter.com/KR4MVxSq9E
Early on, it was a server's match. Both Andreescu and Kenin showed signs of frustration in the set when neither could break their opponent's serve. Kenin was unable to find success on drop-shots as the Canadian won multiple points at the net. In fact, she won the set on a drop-shot from Kenin who was unable to do anything with Andreescu's strategic return except pop the ball up for an easy point against. The shot resulted in the first break of the match in the 10th game, giving Andreescu the first set victory.
. @Bandreescu_ edges closer to a final on home soil!
— WTA (@WTA) August 10, 2019
The 🇨🇦 takes the opening set 6-4.
Follow the second-set action on the @WTA_insider live blog --> https://t.co/CiZAX4PMQv pic.twitter.com/A9NkRGMCcG
The second set was a different story, with each player recording two breaks and forcing a tiebreak. Despite having three match points with the lead 6-5, Andreescu let the opportunity slip away. She would not let the tiebreak slip away and finally won, dropping her racket and covering her face with emotion immediately after advancing to the final, surely feeling the weight of the contest lifted off her shoulders.
"I am in the finals of the Rogers Cup. Life is freaking amazing," Andreescu said addressing the crowd in her on-court interview, via WTA.
. @Bandreescu_ is the first 🇨🇦 to reach the @rogerscup singles final since 1969, after defeating Sofia Kenin in her first straight-setter of the week --> https://t.co/XmXxaEsy86 pic.twitter.com/QDEBLy0JQQ
— WTA (@WTA) August 10, 2019
For the first time since the Round of 32, the World No. 26 was the favorite entering the match. The two individuals met twice previously in 2019, each taking one victory. They were also set to face-off in the second round of the French Open before Andreescu withdrew with an injury.
Andreescu will await the winner of the other semifinal between Serena Williams and Marie Bouzkova Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
With the possibility of facing Williams, Andreescu told WTA, "If Serena gets to the finals, I’ve always wanted to play her so I am beyond excited and beyond grateful right now." Whoever she faces, Andreescu has secured her spot in the Rogers Cup final on Sunday, Aug. 11.