Andreescu Ousts Bertens, While Serena, Halep and Svitolina Advance in Toronto

(August 8, 2019) TORONTO – Another day, and another dramatic match for Bianca Andreescu who needed a third consecutive three-set match to advance, knocking out Kiki Bertens 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-4 at the Rogers Cup on Thursday.

In an individual sport where most players tend to try to focus on themselves and what needs to be done, Andreescu noted post match that she prepares for each opponent differently.

“Because if you perform the right tactics, if you know your opponent really well, then you have more chances of winning.”

She also hasn’t held back in her hopes to continue to move up the rankings to become one of the top players in the world.

“And, yeah, for the next couple of months — or I would say my goals for the end of the year would have to be to break the top 10. I really believe that I can do that. And play in the WTA tour finals.”

The rest of the day was considerably less dramatic with other seeds continuing to win in largely comfortable fashion. Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina and Karolina Pliskova all advanced in straight sets.

Despite her straight sets win, Williams didn’t feel too ecstatic about her overall form. When asked about what she would like to improve for the quarterfinals, she didn’t hold back.

“Just everything, I think. You know, just more consistency and just throughout for either returns and, you know, serving as well.”

Simona Halep easily cruised past Svetlana Kuznetsova dropping just 3 games. She admitted to still feeling some pain, but overall feeling more comfortable physically.

“Yeah, much better. Still I feel pain in my Achilles, but it was much better. And I felt a little bit lighter than yesterday even if I’m sore everywhere.

One match plus, it’s really important. So yesterday helped me to get through, you know, the physical part. And today, even if I felt a little bit tired at the beginning of the match, then I felt better.”

Elsewhere, young, exciting players continue to be a theme of the Rogers Cup. 21 year old Marie Bouzkova and 20 year old Sofia Kenin both advanced to the quarterfinals with straight sets win. Kenin will play Svitolina Friday afternoon and Bouzkova will finish the night session against Halep. 

Brodie Widdifield is covering the Rogers Cup in Toronto for Tennis Panorama News, follow him on Twitter at @MindTheRacket.