Canada’s Bianca Andreescu will not have an easy time on Tuesday as she has a date with the powerful Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Indian Wells tennis tournament.
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The 21-year-old Pole has held first place in the WTA rankings since April 4, 2022. This season she has maintained an excellent record of 12-3. She also reached two finals in four tournaments and won top honors in Qatar.
Andreescu and Swiatek have faced each other only once since the start of their respective careers. At the clay court tournament in Rome 2022, the highest ranked player won in two sets with 7: 6 (2) and 6: 0.
The maple leaf rep believes history will not repeat itself at Indian Wells because the circumstances are different.
“I don’t remember playing a good first set in that match,” said Andreescu, whose comments were reported by the Tennis Canada website. It was only the third tournament I’ve played after having to sit on the sidelines for a very long time.
“We’re on a hard surface now, which I prefer,” she added. I hope that will work in my favor but I know she will play well. I will be very well prepared and study it as much as I can until our confrontation.
Fernandez will also have his hands full
Quebec’s Leylah Annie Fernandez will also be in action in the third round of the California competition. She meets Caroline Garcia.
Fifth seed in the women’s tournament eliminated the 20-year-old from Montreal in the second round of the last Australian Open. This duel was very close and the French won 7-6(5), 7-5.
Since hostilities began in 2023, Fernandez has played in five tournaments but has never reached the quarterfinals of any event.
“My dad has a saying that he keeps telling me: ‘What’s fair is unfair, and what’s unfair is fair’.” I’m very happy with my tennis at the moment. The draws haven’t been very favorable to me lately. But it allows me to gain experience,” said Fernandez.
“I’m also happy about these draws because I can see what I need to improve and how hard I have to work. I can always see the bright side of things instead of getting discouraged.”
In addition, Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime will face off in Indian Wells on Tuesday. He has a date with Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, whom he defeated in the third round of the first Grand Slam of the year in January.