(Glasgow) This time, Bianca Andreescu could not orchestrate an irresistible comeback. Viktorija Golubic beat the Ontarian 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead against Canada in this group stage duel at the Billie Jean King Cup on Friday .
Posted at 8:37
Andreescu, 45e world player, had started the match on the right foot, except that she could not maintain her level of play thereafter against the 77e racquet in the world and started making a lot of unforced forehand errors. The match presented at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow ended after two hours and eight minutes of play.
The 2019 U.S. Open champion’s condition may be a cause for concern, as she sought the intervention of the therapist to receive treatment on her right thigh while she was shooting back 2-5 in the third inning.
PHOTO ED SYKES, ACTION IMAGES SUPPLIED BY REUTERS
Bianca Andreescu
This break seemed to offer a slight shock to the Canadian, who immediately stole Golubic’s serve to narrow the gap to 3-5. Andreescu then won her point on serve, but her 30-year-old rival sealed the match in the next game to give Switzerland victory.
Andreescu was therefore unable to reproduce her performance the day before, when she had been faced with a late set point 2-5 in the first set, before winning 7-6 (3), 6-3 against Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
“I like to pull from the back, because it forces me to raise my level of play. There is a kind of click that occurs in my head and I suddenly become much more aggressive. So, yes, it was good, ”she admitted in a post-match videoconference on Thursday.
Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez, 40e in the world, will have a heavy order to fulfill if they wish to tie the best-of-three duel later today. The 20-year-old Lavalloise will cross swords with the highest ranked Swiss on her team by virtue of her 12e world rank, Belinda Bencic.
This duel will be followed by the double opponent of the Ontarian Gabriela Dabrowski and Fernandez against the Swiss Golubic and Bencic.
Canada had beaten Italy 3-0 the day before in their first match of the group stage at the Billie Jean King Cup, a women’s tennis team tournament.