PARIS | Even if nothing worked out at Roland-Garros for Bianca Andreescu on Saturday, she did not freak out and she did not allow herself to be overwhelmed by negative thoughts.
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“A few years ago, I would have locked myself in a room for hours, not speaking to anyone. I might have broken my racquet, but that doesn’t happen anymore!” assured the 22-year-old Ontarian after suffering a crushing loss in two identical sets of 6-1 against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko.
“After a loss, I’m now better at telling myself that it’s not the end of the world, that it’s normal, that it happens and that’s sport,” she added.
His opponent in the third round didn’t even have to be extraordinary to win.
A question of centimeters
Bianca shot herself in the foot committing no less than 22 unforced errors in just one hour of play. It’s not complicated, practically all of her shots were offside or landed in the net.
“It’s never fun to lose, but losing like this is even more infuriating,” said Andreescu, who was still relaxed in front of the reporters.
Canada’s last singles prospect at this second Grand Slam of the season also struggled on serve, only winning one game when she had the balls in hand.
“Tsurenko played very well. But I know I wasn’t even close to being at my best. I don’t think the score reflects the match. There were close games, but I was unable to close the books,” analyzed Andreescu.
“My shots were just a little too deep, as was my serve. We are talking about a few centimeters here and there.
two worlds of difference
This performance was nothing like those of the Bianca that the French had seen in action in the first two rounds: fighting against the 18e seeded, the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, and expeditious against the American Emma Navarro. Although she has a reputation for being able to come back, Saturday there was no way back for the 2019 U.S. Open champion.
Bianca started the second set well by stealing Tsurenko’s serve, but Tsurenko played the same trick on her the next game. It was done for Andreescu.
She was often caught off guard, she was imprecise and her balls lacked bite.
In the end, “Bibi” only managed six winning shots, against 20 for her 33-year-old rival.
“It’s hard to accept defeat after having had two good games before. However, I felt good before today’s meeting. It was a bad day for me and a good one for her,” philosophized the Canadian.
no atmosphere
Moreover, there was a lack of atmosphere on the Simonne-Mathieu at the start of the Parisian evening. What must not have helped the 42e world player, who normally runs on applause. Not once did she interact with the crowd, proof that she was not on her plate.
“The match never got up, so the crowd never got into it either,” she said. It doesn’t help when you can’t find your rhythm…the public hasn’t found their rhythm anymore.”
Andreescu thus registered a third defeat against the 66e WTA racket. However, she had retired to injury in the first two clashes, at the 2018 Fed Cup and in Thailand last February.
“I feel like my style of play suits him, especially when my balls don’t go in the way I would like them to. […] I thought I had a good strategy, but I will have to review it the next time I face him!” recognized Bianca.
In mixed doubles
Tsurenko has therefore secured her place in the round of 16, where she will face favorite and defending champion, Poland’s Iga Swiatek.
The latter has not been idle by sending the Chinese Xinyu Wang, 80, to the showers.eafter 51 minutes and thanks to a perfect performance of 6-0 and 6-0.
For his part, Andreescu will continue his stay in Paris by playing a second mixed doubles match on Sunday, along with New Zealander Michael Venus. They will play American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Croatian Mate Pavic.