In one of the most intense all-Canadian matchups to take place Tuesday, Bianca Andreescu and Eugenie Bouchard held nothing back in what ended up being a too-close-for-comfort match at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. However, it was Andreescu who eventually emerged victorious, defeating her countrymate 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the second round.
Bouchard, who hasn't won since February, appeared to be control of the hard court from the get-go. She caught a late break to take the first set rather easily against Andreescu, who hadn't played since the French Open in May. But Andreescu soon shook off the rust off and found her game in a memorable turnaround.
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The 18-year-old was able to dominate with three breaks in the second set before forcing the third set without any difficulty. She allowed Bouchard to gain little momentum and carried the same energy in the third set.
Two double faults would lead Bouchard, the No. 2 ranked Canadian behind Andreescu, to tie the third set, 3-3, but Andreescu was able to regain her rhythm and eventually broke to win the final set and take the match, which lasted over two hours.
What an all-🇨🇦 match!@Bandreescu_ is back to her winning ways and bests Bouchard
— WTA (@WTA) August 7, 2019
4-6, 6-1, 6-4 pic.twitter.com/2xGxVGDKgB
The Mississauga, Ont. native had been dealing with a lingering shoulder injury since March that has held her out of several tournaments, but with her performance and durability on display Tuesday, that all appears to be behind her now.
This marks the first Rogers Cup victory of Andreescu's career, and the second time she's won against Bouchard this year.
Andreescu will square off against Russia's Daria Kasatkina in the second round on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.