It wasn’t the epic battle everyone was expecting or hoping for.
All week, Bianca Andreescu had to fight, dig deep, and battle back just to make it to the Rogers Cup final on Sunday. She played four three-set matches on her way to the semi-final and everyone expected 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams to be her stiffest test by far.
The match started well, with the 19-year-old shaking off her nerves quickly and breaking Serena in her second service game for a 2-1 lead.
Then at 1-3, Williams called for the trainer and as she arrived, the tennis legend was already in tears. She knew her day was done and she would have to stop playing because of a back injury.
In what may be the most touching moment of this week’s Rogers Cup, the Toronto-native hugged Williams, then sat in front of her chair consoling her.
Such a lovely moment between @serenawilliams and @Bandreescu_ despite the circumstances š#RC19 pic.twitter.com/RwPL1VD9Ux
ā WTA (@WTA) August 11, 2019
Accepting her runners-up trophy, a sobbing Williams stepped up to the microphone: “I’m not a crier. Thank you guys. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today. I tried, but I couldn’t do it,” she told the Toronto crowd.
“Bianca, you’re a great sports person.”
Andreescu responded to Williams before beginning her own victory speech.
“Serena, you made me cry a bunch over there. I know how it is to pull out of tournaments and be injured,” she said.
“I’ve watched you play so many times. You are truly a champion on and off the court.”
Then, accepting the winner’s trophy: “I’m speechless right now,” Andreescu told the crowd.
“This has been a dream come true, really. This week has not been easy. I’ve had many many tough matches.”
“I’m truly truly blessed right now.”
With that, the 19-year-old budding tennis star is now the Rogers Cup champion, her second WTA title after winning in Indian Wells earlier this year.
Andreescu will move up to 14th in the world after a week in which she beat Eugenie Bouchard, Daria Kasatkina (World No. 40), Kiki Bertens (World No. 5), Karolina Pliskova (World No. 3), Sofia Kenin (World No. 27), and of course Williams on her way to the title.
After thanking her team and family, Andreescu left the Toronto crowd with a parting message.
“This is just the beginning!”
“Ladies and gentlemen, your umpire for this match – @bandreescu_ !”#RC19 pic.twitter.com/UaHeAAJpXz
ā WTA (@WTA) August 11, 2019
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