(Paris) Canadian Bianca Andreescu won 2-6, 6-3 and 6-4 against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in the first round of the French Open on Tuesday.
Against the Australian Open champion in 2012 and 2013, the United States Open champion in 2019 sealed the outcome of the meeting presented on the Simonne-Mathieu court after two hours and 30 minutes.
Andreescu needed five match points before closing the books.
In the next round, Andreescu will face American Emma Navarro, who defeated Russian Erika Andreeva 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
It was the first career duel between Andreescu and Azarenka, the 18th seed in Paris.
The two players split the first four games of the encounter, then Azarenka won the next four to easily win the first set.
Andreescu had a similar streak in the second set. She tied 3-3 to start a four-game streak too, which allowed her to force the presentation of an ultimate set.
The 22-year-old Canadian broke her rival’s serve to take a 2-1 lead in the third set. She then saved a break point to maintain her advantage.
Despite Azarenka’s last efforts, Andreescu won when his opponent sent a shot into the net.
“I thought I was starting to get too passive and let her string the winners together,” Andreescu said after the game. I said to myself that if I wanted the match to be at least close, I had to apply more pressure. I started hitting the ball earlier.
“My serve has become a weapon and I believe it has helped me a lot. »
Andreescu therefore joined compatriot Leylah Annie Fernandez in the second round of the second major tournament of the season. Fernandez will face Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the second round on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Lavalloise is also set to begin her women’s doubles journey with American teammate Taylor Townsend. They will face Italian Sara Errani and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the first round.
Canadians Gabriela Dabrowski and Rebecca Marino will also be in doubles action with their respective playing partners.
In addition, no Canadian tennis player was in action on the men’s side on Tuesday.
Ontarian Denis Shapovalov, the last representative of the maple leaf still in contention in Paris, will have an appointment in the second round on Wednesday with the Italian Matteo Arnaldi. This will be the first career match between Shapovalov, 26th seed, and Arnaldi, 106th in the world.
Félix Auger-Aliassime fell 6-4, 6-4 and 6-3 to Italian Fabio Fognini in the first round on Monday. After the meeting, the Quebecer said he had been “sick all night” before his appearance at Roland-Garros.