Bianca Andreescu is fortunate there are no style points in tennis.
The 19-year-old defeated fellow teenager Katie Volynets 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, but it was hardly a walk in the park for Andreescu. The Canadian had to overcome some early jitters and sloppy play to claim victory in her first-ever match in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.
"It's my first round, first match of the tournament so maybe I was a little bit rusty at the beginning," Andreescu said. "I'm also playing someone younger than me so that's not the best scenario. I'm usually the young one. But it's nice to see these up-and-coming players play on big stages like this."
Committing 16 unforced errors in the opening set, Andreescu gave Volynets plenty of opportunity to stick around in the early goings of a match-up that pitted the 15th-seeded Canuck against the World No. 473 from Walnut Creek, Calif. Fortunately for Andreescu, Volynets' inexperience shone through and the Mississauga, Ont., native was able to successfully convert three break points en route to a 6-2 first-set win that was more impressive on the scoreboard than the court.
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Things were similarly tough for Andreescu in the second set as she committed another 16 unforced errors and was visibly frustrated at times, especially with 17-year-old Volynets growing in confidence with each passing point. The young American matched her more fancied opponent for most of the second frame, with both women holding serve through the first eight games without giving up a single break point opportunity.
However, Andreescu eventually broke Volynets' serve at 4-4, giving herself the chance to serve for the match. The reigning Rogers Cup and Indian Wells champion smelled blood and made short work of the final game. The raucous and appreciative Canadian contingent at Court 10 rose to their feet as Andreescu booked her place in the second round.
"When I step on the court I just try to focus on the tactics, not who's on the other side," Andreescu told TSN of her younger opponent. "I played her earlier this year so I knew what to expect, but today was a different day, different circumstances. She's an incredible fighter so I'm really happy with my win."
Andreescu will face Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens in the second round.