Barty Defends Miami Open Title over an Injured Andreescu
(April 3, 2021) No. 1 Ash Barty claimed her second straight Miami Open title when her opponent, the eighth seed, Canada’s Bianca Andreescu was forced to retire with a right foot injury on Saturday. The Australian was leading 6-3, 4-0.
The 24-year-old Barty became the first No. 1 seed since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the title. She has now won 12 straight matches in Miami.
For the 20-year-old Canadian, it was her first tournament in the United States since she won the US Open in 2019. She skipped the tour due to combination of injuries and the COVID pandemic.
Barty on Andreescu: “I just hope this injury doesn’t hinder her season because she’s an exceptional player. She’s proved time and time again that she belongs at the very top. She belongs to play the very best in the world.” #MiamiOpen
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 3, 2021
Ash Barty is the 1st top seed to win #MiamiOpen since Serena Williams in 2015.
She is the 6th woman to successfully defend @MiamiOpen.
Graf (87-88, 94-96)
Seles (90-91)
Sanchez Vicario (92-93)
V. Williams (98-99)
S. Williams (2002-04, 07-08, 13-15)— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 3, 2021
Proud of our week in Miami 🏆 #10
But it’s never a nice way to finish a match… Wishing Bianca a speedy recovery! The first of many matches for us I’m sure! pic.twitter.com/IE3zGGgNF6
— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) April 3, 2021
Barty came through a tough draw which included an opening round match win over qualifier Kristina Kucova, where she saved a match point. En route to the final, Barty took down former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, posted three sets wins over Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka and beat Elina Svitolina in straight sets.
This is the Aussie’s tenth career WTA title. She heads to Charleston next week to begin the clay court season.
