(Credit: Marcello Zambrana/DGW Comunicação)

It’s impossible to ignore the recent rise of two of Canada’s young tennis stars.

Bianca Andreescu and Félix Auger-Aliassime have made impeccable starts to the season, culminating in them competing in their first tour-level finals at the ASB Classic and Rio Open respectively. And it seems their performances aren’t just making waves in Canada. The powers that be at the BNP Paribas Open have handed the duo wild cards to the men’s and women’s main draws at Indian Wells in recognition of their fine form.

As recently as this past week, the youngsters have both have made deep runs at ATP and WTA events.

Having stormed past Jil Teichmann, Mihaela Buzărnescu and Zheng Saisai without dropping a single set, Mississauga-native Andreescu reached the semi-finals of the Mexican Open. However, she fell agonizingly short of a place in the final, losing to fifth-seed Sofia Kenin 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the last four.

Meanwhile, Montreal’s Auger-Aliassime saw off Pablo Cuevas and Spaniard Albert Ramos-Viñolas on his way to the quarter-finals of the Brazil Open. There he faced Laslo Đere for the second time in less than a week, having lost to the Serbian in the final of the Rio Open last Sunday. Unfortunately, there was to be more frustration in South America for the young Canadian, who lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to exit the tournament.

Following the defeat, Auger-Aliassime was clearly disappointed with his performance but believes his strong runs at the Rio Open and Brazil Open have contributed to him earning a wild card spot at Indian Wells.

Speaking to the press, he said: “It probably helped, for sure. I was going to play qualifiers normally but two days ago we got the message that they would free a wild card for us. So, I’m happy that I have time to rest and regroup before the tournament starts.”

(Feature image: Marcello Zambrana/DGW Comunicação)

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