Bianca Andreescu’s first round match at the French Open was delayed by rain on Monday. The Ontarian led her rivalry with Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure, 168th in the world rankings, 3-6, 7-5 and 3-0 before the forced break.
Andreescu, 72nd in the world rankings, was about to serve within a winning point in the 4th game of the third set when rain forced the two players to return to the locker room after 1 hour 51 minutes of work.
The Canadian started the match poorly, losing the first set 3-6 after an irresistible return from the Belgian, who came out of the qualifying phase, from 0-2 to 4-2. Bonaventure finished the opening set 6-3 in 39 minutes.
In the middle set, Bonaventure first led 3-1, then 5-3 and moved within two points of the game. But Andreescu broke his opponent’s serve in the 10th game to tie it at 5-5.
A shutout then allowed him to win the second set 7-5 in and push Bonaventure to play the third set in 54 minutes.
In the third set, Andreescu raised his level of play, and chained the points. He broke the Belgian’s serve in games 1 and 3 to take a 3-0 lead. Returning from a forced break, Ontario will serve as the winner in the 4th game and lead 4-0.
If Andreescu wins, she will face Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, 14th in the world, in the second round.
All matches are suspended except those scheduled on the center court.
Fragile, Osaka removed
Naomi Osaka, 38th in the world, lost in the first round to American Amanda Anisimova in straight sets 5-7, 4-6 on Monday.
The 24-year-old Japanese player, who suffers from an Achilles tendon, did not benefit from the protection the top bones have and inherited a difficult draw from Anisimova (no 28), semi-finalist in Paris in 2019.
Less comfortable on clay than on hard courts, Osaka has only played two surface games this season due to left Achilles tendon pain, which he manipulated several times in the fight.
There’s no way I’m not playing in this tournamenthe explained to the press on Friday, no matter what that means drink painkillers.
Undoubtedly reduced, Osaka suffered in service (45% victory on his first ball). Her eight double faults, including two in her last service game of the first set, the last break for Anisimova, also punished her as much as her unforced errors (29).
The Japanese left the court, with a smiling face. The memory of his stormy visit to Paris in 2021 still hurts.
I will not lie. I am very worried about coming back here. Worried that there were people who, I said, crumpled and fell on themhe explained on Friday. But in general everyone has a positive reaction, I think.he added.
Source: Radio-Canada