Adelaide International 1: Bianca defeats Garbine Muguruza in a thrilling comeback win

• Bianca Andreescu recovered from a 0-6 2-5 deficit to beat Garbine Muguruza.
• She defeated the World No.55 in three hard-fought sets.
• Kai Kanepi also reached the second round with a hard-fought win.

At the Adelaide International 1 on Sunday, Bianca Andreescu made a remarkable start to her 2023 season. In a titanic matchup of two past Grand Slam winners, Andreescu overcame a 0-6, 2-5 disadvantage to defeat Garbine Muguruza in three tense sets.

In the Round of 32 encounter, the 22-year-old Canadian beat the World No.55 Spanish opponent 0-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1.

Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, beamingly exclaimed, “I’m really glad I pulled that out. “I don’t know how.” The world No. 46 from Canada was down a set in her season debut after just 24 minutes on the court, making victory appear improbable.

Former world number one Muguruza won important prizes at Wimbledon and Roland Garros in 2016 and 2017. The Spaniard, who is currently ranked No. 55 in the world, was effective in the first set, hitting 10 aces while committing only three unforced errors.

But as Muguruza began to make mistakes, Andreescu began to find his groove. The hard-hitting Canadian started to compete more freely as the Spaniard lost momentum and seized a 5-3 lead after a break of serve early in the second set.

Muguruza was two points away from winning the match while serving when Andreescu pulled off an incredible comeback, extending the set to a tiebreak that she was able to win.

“I had to drastically alter my strategy for the second set. I thought the second set started off a little bit wishy-washy, but I just told myself to “go for it” and let whatever happened happen. She was on a roll, so I followed her lead “Andreescu connected

“I started putting more returns and serves in court, and I also got lucky a couple of times, so I’m extremely glad for it,” the defendant said. After the match was tied, Andreescu assumed control of the third set and gave Muguruza just one more game to secure her historic victory in two hours and fourteen minutes.

Compared to Muguruza’s 37 victories and 39 errors, she concluded the match with 28 winners and 23 unforced errors.

Andreescu, who will play the winner of Veronika Kudermetova vs. Amanda Anisimova in the opening round, had the ideal start to a brand-new season.

The 22-year-old is feeling upbeat following her dominant start to the year despite missing Australian competitions last summer due to injury.

“This year, all I want is to be well. I hope to be able to perform on tour for an entire year “Andreescu responded when asked what her objectives were for 2023.

I haven’t (done that) yet because to injuries, COVID, and other factors, so winning another Grand Slam is definitely my second-most important (objective). With a tough victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovichh, Kai Kanepi extended her habit of excellent season debuts in Australia.

It took the 37-year-old Estonian player little over two hours to defeat Sasnovich, who is rated two spots higher at world No. 30, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

In the second round, Kanepi—who won the Brisbane International title in 2012 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2022—will play the victor of Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Marketa Vondrousova.

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