Bianca Andreescu starts with a win, but sponsor gets a dressing-down – ‘It’s Nike’s fault. This dress is so bad’

There were positives and negatives for Bianca Andreescu during her first-round match at the 2022 US Open as the Canadian kicked off her campaign with a win, but she did criticise her sponsor after her dress became problematic during the warm-up.
The 2019 US Open champion overcame a second-set wobble to beat Harmony Tan – who defeated Serena Williams at Wimbledon earlier this year – in her opener at Flushing Meadows and set up a clash against the in-form Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Things didn’t start off well for Andreescu as before a ball had been hit she asked the chair umpire if she could change her dress as it was giving her problems due with the wind swirling around – and she blamed it all on her sponsor Nike.
“Can this not count as one of my changeovers because, I mean, it’s not my fault, it’s Nike’s fault. This dress is so bad,” the 22-year-old told the umpire.
After getting the nod from the official, the Canadian added: “Okay, I need to go. This is really bad.”
bibi ended nike kit designers💀💀 pic.twitter.com/cjBqbAQRzH
— nabald | 22💜 (@andys_murray) August 29, 2022
She was clearly comfortable in the new dress as she dominated the opening set against the French qualifier with breaks in games one, three and five en route to bagelling Tan. However, the world No 112 returned the favour in the second set as she raced into a 4-0 lead and eventually served it out.
The Canadian was back dominant best in the decider as she broke twice for a 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 win in one hour and 41 minutes.
“I wake up every morning wanting to play on stages like this and it’s my motivation to be here and continue to inspire others means a lot to me,” Andreescu said after her win. “I am so ready for my next match.”
Andreescu can expect a tough challenge in the second round from Haddad Maia as the Brazilian won the Nottingham Open and Birmingham Classic in June while she also finished runner-up to Simona Halep at the Canadian Open.
The 15th seed from Brazil demolished Ana Konjuh 6-0, 6-0 in her opener.
Andreescu is yet to make it to the third round of a Grand Slam this year as she fell in the second round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon while she missed the season-opening Australian Open due to injury.
Also through to the second round is third seed Maria Sakkari after the Greek defeated Tatjana Maria from Germany 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 while French 17th seed Caroline Garcia – who won her maiden WTA 1000 title at the Western & Southern Open earlier in August – defeated lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-4.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Heather Watson ends her quarter-final drought with win in Thailand – ‘It was just survival of the fittest’
Heather Watson will now face Chinese seventh seed Xinyu Wang.
-
Tennis News
Toni Nadal shares thoughts on fans’ hostility toward Novak Djokovic as well as Rafael Nadal’s future
Toni Nadal on why Novak Djokovic has so many detractors.
-
Tennis News
Stunning LTA numbers confirm tennis participation is booming in Britain
New figures have revealed that there has been a 47 per-cent increase in tennis participation in clubs and parks across Britain.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is she competing next and her season so far…
A look at Aryna Sabalenka’s possible tournaments for the 2023 season.
-
News
Serena Williams welcomes Tom Brady to ‘retirement world again’ as she opens up about her final match ‘regret’
“Sad to see you go,” Serena Williams told Tom Brady.
-
Tennis News
Elina Svitolina urges IOC to ‘stick to banning Russian and Belarusian athletes’ for Paris 2024 Olympics
Elina Svitolina wants a united front when it comes to sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus.
-
Tennis News
Marion Bartoli latest to criticise Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov – ‘I just can’t take that any more’
Marion Bartoli basing her opinion on Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov on incidents she witnessed herself.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open viewing figures need context amid Novak Djokovic snipes
TV viewing figures for Australian Open may appear to be disappointing, yet raw figures only reveal part of the story.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios on crutches as his manager gives fitness update
Everyone is “really, really pleased” with Nick Kyrgios’ recovery.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is she competing next and her season so far…
A look at Iga Swiatek’s possible tournaments for the 2023 season.