Bianca Andreescu is on the board in 2025, picking up her first victory of the season on Wednesday in her opening match at the Mutua Madrid Open over McCartney Kessler. The Canadian, who made her return to the tour after a six-month absence last week in Rouen, defeated Kessler in straight sets.
Searching for her first match win since October, Andreescu was rock solid from the start. She raced out to an early lead and never let Kessler back in it, claiming a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
Practically every big point went Andreescu’s way in this match, as she converted all four of her break-point chances and saved seven of eight on her own serve. The Canadian also struck more than twice as many winners as her opponent, 20 to 9.
Andreescu came flying out of the gate, breaking Kessler in the opening game and backing it up with an easy hold for a quick 2-0 lead. It was largely one-way traffic for the Canadian through most of the opening frame. She was gifted a second break in the seventh game when the American double-faulted to put Andreescu ahead 5-2.
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Serving out the set was the biggest challenge the Canadian faced in the first. A poorly-timed double fault of her own put Andreescu down 15-40 but some big-hitting from the former US Open champion got her back to deuce. Andreescu saved two more break points in the game before finally finding a forehand winner on her third set point.
Kessler had a chance to flip the momentum early in the second set, holding a break point in the Canadian’s first service game, but once again, Andreescu was able to find a forehand winner. In the very next game, the Canadian whacked an impressive backhand winner down the line to set up a break point where Kessler missed her own backhand to give the Mississaugan the lead.
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Another break to love for Andreescu to go up 4-1 seemed like the final nail in the coffin, but at long last, she was broken when trying to consolidate to give the American some life. But that was as close as Kessler would get. The Canadian managed to hold on to her final two service games to wrap up the win.
Andreescu will face a very tough test in round two when she takes on world No. 11 Elena Rybakina. The Kazakhstani has won both of their previous meetings in straight sets, although it will be their first matchup on clay. Leylah Annie Fernandez will play her first match in Madrid on Thursday.
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Feature Photo : @biancaandreescu_
