Canadian Bianca Andreescu scored a three-set victory over Belgium’s Ysaline Bonaventure in the first round of the French Open.
Andreescu let the first set slip away 6-3, before bouncing back to win the next two 7-5 and 6-0. They were leading 3-0 in the third set when rain interrupted the game.
“I was really like ‘stay in the moment…keep fighting because it’s not over until it’s over,'” Andreescu told TSN. I really had to put pressure on her, otherwise I knew she was going to win. »
The former No. 4 player in the world overcame a 3-1 deficit in the second set to force a final set.
“Just having that fighting spirit until the end really helped me,” added Andreescu.
Bonaventure committed 10 double faults in the match.
Andreescu is looking to build on his successful season on clay after a months-long absence to recover physically and mentally from a difficult 2021 season.
“It’s great to know that even when I’m not playing my best tennis, I can find a way to win,” she concluded. I’m super happy with the way I handled my emotions. »
In the next round, Andreescu has an appointment with the Swiss Belinda Bencic, 14th in the world.
Three other Canadians are still in the main draw of the Paris tournament. Quebecers Leylah Annie Fernandez and Félix Auger-Aliassime will be back in action on Wednesday after winning the first round on Sunday. Fernandez, seeded 17th in the tournament, will face Czech Katerina Siniakova, while Auger-Aliassime, seeded ninth, will meet Argentine qualifier Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
Ontario’s Denis Shapovalov will play his first-round match on Tuesday against Denmark’s Holger Rune.