US Open 2019 news - Bianca Andreescu KOs Belinda Bencic to set up blockbuster final

ByReuters

Published 06/09/2019 at 07:51 GMT

Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu's dream run at the US Open continued on Thursday as she powered past Belinda Bencic 7-6(3) 7-5 to set up a highly-anticipated final with Serena Williams on Saturday.

Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates her victory during her Women's Singles semi-finals match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day eleven of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2019 in Queens boro

Image credit: Getty Images

Andreescu, who has already won titles at Indian Wells and Toronto during her breakout 2019 season, unleashed a torrent of bruising groundstrokes after falling behind 2-5 in the second set, winning five straight games to punch her ticket to her first Grand Slam final.

"It is just surreal," the 19-year-old said in an on-court interview at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I don't know what to say. It is a dream come true to play Serena in the finals of the U.S. Open. It's crazy."

Australian Open

Who's playing at this year's Australian Open and who's missing?

08/01/2024 at 10:12

Image credit: Getty Images

After a strong start from the Swiss, momentum shifted on the first point of the first set tiebreak when Bencic double faulted and her previously immaculate play began to crumble.

Andreescu quickly ran out to a 5-0 lead in the breaker that she won comfortably to capture the first set.

Bencic finally broke Andreescu to open the second set but despite stretching her lead to 5-2, Andreescu fed off the supportive crowd to level at 5-5 after another costly Bencic double fault.

A flustered Bencic struggled from there, giving a sarcastic thumbs up to the crowd when they applauded the double fault before sending a forehand into the net on match point to end the first-time encounter between two of the game's rising stars.

2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Eleven. Bianca Andreescu of Canada in action against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the Women's Singles Semi-Finals match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King N

Image credit: Getty Images

The final will pit power against power when Andreescu takes on her childhood hero Williams, who claimed her first U.S. Open title in 1999 before Andreescu was even born.

Despite being sidelined at times with injury this year, Andreescu has been a giant slayer when healthy, posting a 7-0 record against top 10 opponents and a 33-4 record overall.

Her route to the final has included wins over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki and rising Belgian Elise Mertens.

Thursday's win marks a remarkable turnaround for the Ontario native who was born to Romanian parents in 2000.

Andreescu lost in the first round of US Open qualifiers last year and finished 2018 ranked world number 178 but will be at least world number nine on Monday and world number five if she can upset Williams.

Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu

Image credit: Eurosport

In their only previous meeting Andreescu led Williams 3-1 at the Rogers Cup final in Toronto last month before the 37-year-old was forced to retire due to back spasms.

The Canadian was widely praised for comforting the tearful Williams after the match.

Andreescu will have her work cut out for her when she takes on an in-form Williams, who crushed Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-1 earlier in the evening to put her on the brink of a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title.

US Open

Gauff ends Wozniacki run to reach US Open quarter-finals for second time

04/09/2023 at 09:34

US Open

Cirstea v Bencic - US Open highlights

00:03:07

03/09/2023 at 20:01

WTA Washington

Gauff surges past Baptiste in Washington as Svitolina's hot streak continues

03/08/2023 at 08:05

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me