Emotional Bianca Andreescu admits she ‘got goosebumps walking on the court’ after Canada homecoming

WTA Tour
Bianca Andreescu celebrates in Montreal

Two years after winning Canada’s biggest women’s tennis tournament, Bianca Andreescu made an emotional home coming as she won her opening match at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal.

Back in 2019 with the event played in Toronto, the teenage Andreescu became the first Canadian in 50 years to win the tournament and a few weeks later she went on to win the US Open.

After the coronavirus pandemic forced organisers to cancel the event in 2020, the 21-year-old is back to defend her title this year and she was tested by qualifier Harriet Dart in her opener on Tuesday.

However, Andreescu came through with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory in just over two hours.

The second seed broke three times in the opening set with Dart only getting on the scoreboard courtesy a break of her own.

However, the Brit got the solitary break of serve in the second set in game four to take it to a decider before stunning Andreescu with an early break. The Canadian, though, drew level in game four and then claimed the crucial break in game eight.

“I had all the feels. It was super emotional at the end. I got goosebumps walking on the court,” Andreescu said after the win.

“Having the crowd cheer so long, it’s just a crazy feeling. I’m so happy the tournament was able to be played.

“There’s always going to be pressure, but I really use it to my advantage, especially here at home. Having that crowd support really helps me. Win or lose, I know they’re always going to have my back, so that definitely relieves a lot of pressure.”

Seventh seed Petra Kvitova also advanced as she beat Fiona Ferro 6-4, 6-4 and eighth seed Victoria Azarenka was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Sorana Cirstea.

However, fifth seed Garbine Muguruza crashed out as the two-time Grand Slam was beaten 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 by Katerina Siniakova.

In first-round action, 15th seed Coco Gauff beat Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-4, Danielle Collins defeated Jill Teichmann 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 while Johanna Konta advanced when Zhang Shuai retired with the scores 6-4, 2-5 in the Brit’s favour.

Bianca Andreescu Harriet Dart

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