Facing a strong rival in Aryna Sabalenka, Canada’s Bianca Andreescu offered strong opposition, but lost in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 on Thursday in a second-round match at the Stuttgart tournament.
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Fourth racket in the world and third seed in the competition, the Belarusian took just under two hours to defeat Andreescu, who came back strong after a difficult first set. The latter also managed two breaks during the middle set to prolong hostilities. However, she couldn’t keep up the pace, Sabalenka taking her serve five times in eight occasions in total.
On Tuesday, the Ontarian had disposed of the German Jule Niemeier in her first game on the professional circuit since October 11, 2021.