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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday March 26, 2021

 
Bianca Andreescu

Canada's Bianca Andreescu found a key ingredient of her game as she powered to victory on Friday in Miami.

Photo Source: Getty

There was one main ingredient missing from Bianca Andreescu’s game in Australia, and the Canadian says she has found it in Miami: mental toughness.

Tennis Express


Andreescu battled extreme heat and a pesky Tereza Martincova and emerged victorious on Friday, 7-6(5), 6-2, to book a third-round clash with American Amanda Anisimova. The scoreline, as well as the type of effort put forth, is something the 2019 US Open champion can savor.

“I felt really good mentally out there,” Andreescu said. “That's the one thing I feel like I was struggling a little bit in Australia, but I was just super positive and I fought for every ball no matter what the score was. Because in the first set she had set point, but I just kept fighting, and I think that was the thing I was most proud of.”

Andreescu was down a break to Martincova in the first, but she rallied back and came through a tense tiebreaker to take command.


“I felt that in the first set I wasn't as consistent as in the second set, but I think that tiebreaker really said a lot, because I started putting more pressure,” the 20-year-old World No.9 said after the match. “I was getting to a lot of balls. And then in the second set you could tell that she became a little discouraged, and she started going for more shots. But that's part of my game style. I want to be very physical out there. I don't want to let any ball go and just never give up.”

Andreescu will square off with Anisimova on Sunday, in a first-time meeting. The 19-year-old World No.32 doubled up Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-3. Due to a bout with Covid and an ankle injury, Anisimova has managed just three matches this year (2-1).

“I'm just happy that I'm able to stay healthy now, and I'm just grateful for the opportunity that I have here, and just to be able to play I'm really happy,” she said. “I have been training a lot the last couple of weeks, so I feel good mentally and physically.”

Kenin Back on Track

In other action, Sofia Kenin played her first match since having her appendix removed in Australia, defeating Andrea Petkovic, 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-3.

The American, seeded fourth, will face Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur next.

“I obviously felt a bit more nervous at the beginning, first match after having the surgery and everything. I just told myself, Keep fighting,” she told reporters. “I'm just grateful that I'm able to play here because I really wanted to get ready for the Miami Open and just try and enjoy every minute out there.”

 

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