Bianca Andreescu’s sensational winning streak was brought to an end by Naomi Osaka (No.4) as she was beaten 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the China Open. Andreescu’s run lasted an incredible 17 consecutive matches, including her title wins at Rogers Cup presented by National Bank and the US Open.
This was a highly-anticipated clash between two of the tour’s most impressive youngsters. Not only did it pit the winners of the last three hard-court Grand Slams against one another – but it also represented their very first meeting.
It didn’t take long for Andreescu to make her mark on the match. In the opening game she battled back from 40:0 down to craft two break points, taking the second as she cornered Osaka into making an unforced error with the Japanese hitting an errant backhand into the net. A similar exchange just three games later saw Andreescu go up another break and take a 4-1 lead.
However, it didn’t go all the Canadian’s way. Osaka’s quality is undoubted, and the 21-year-old showed why as she fought back to break Andreescu’s serve twice to level at 5-5. The Canadian, though, would not be denied. The teenager broke Osaka for a third time to retake the advantage and she would go onto claim the first set 7-5.
Momentum was clearly in Andreescu’s favour early in the second set too – an break ensuring the 19-year-old had the match firmly under control. But that momentum suddenly shifted the way of Osaka as the Japanese won five games in a row, including back-to-back breaks of Andreescu, on her way to winning the second set.
The third set was a real nail-biter. Andreescu raced out the blocks to an 3-1 lead but Osaka responded by breaking the Canadian twice before sealing the victory with an expertly-placed ace on match point.
SOURCE: Tennis Canada
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