Bianca Andreescu stuns Maria Sakkari, says there is more to come – ‘I’m at 75 per cent, 80 per cent of my level’

WTA Tour
Bianca Andreescu during a match

Bianca Andreescu followed up her win over Emma Raducanu with another brilliant display as she edged seventh seed Maria Sakkari in tight contest in the second round of the Miami Open.

2019 US Open champion Andreescu has struggled with injury and form over the past few years, but she finally seems to be turning the corner as she claimed her third win over a top-10 player in the past year.

And it was by no means an easy match as she needed three hours and four minutes to get the better of the Greek, winning 7-6(9-7), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).

Having reached a career-high of No 4 on the back of her Flushing Meadows success in 2019, the Canadian slipped to outside the top 40 over the past two seasons, but he recent run of form has seen her rise to No 27 in the WTA Live Rankings.

But the 22-year-old feels there is plenty more to come as she still has some way to go before she reached her best level.

“I feel like there’s always room for improvement even if I’m feeling like I’m at 100 per cent, but I know I’m never at 100 per cent because there’s so much that I know I can learn, getting to know my body as well through the years, and just kind of keeping momentum,” she said.

“I think it’s super important, and I feel like I’m starting to get that now a little bit. So with all of that, I feel like I’m at, I would say, 75 percent, 80 percent of what I know I’m capable of.”

Up next is 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, who has also struggled with injury and form since winning her maiden Grand Slam, and Andreescu will no doubt also approach that match with her new-found fearlessness.

“I think it’s just another step in gaining most of my confidence back,” the Canadian said. :I’m feeling really good on the court. I’m trying to be as fearless as I can be.

“It’s not always easy, but I feel like I’m getting there, and wins like this obviously help with that because at this point I think it’s just me getting matches in and playing tough rounds like this and knowing I can win.”

Sakkari was not the only big-name player to exit the Miami Open on Friday as fourth seed Ons Jabeur suffered a 6-2, 6-2 defeat at the hands of world No 54 Varvara Gracheva while fifth seed Caroline Garcia was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Sorana Cirstea.

READ MORE: Bianca Andreescu finally ‘in tune with herself’ and hopes to use tennis ‘to help inspire others’

Bianca Andreescu Maria Sakkari

Latest