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Andreescu in tears after winning return from 15-month layoff
MELBOURNE, Feb 8, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Former US Open champion Bianca
Andreescu burst into tears Monday after a tough three-set victory over
Mihaela Buzarnescu in the Australian Open marked a much-anticipated return
from a year-plus injury.
The eighth seed was forced to save three break points in the seventh game
of the deciding set before prevailing 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 against the Romanian in
two hours and two minutes.
She capped her comeback in style with a 27th winner as she wiped away
tears.
“It means a lot to win. It was all worth it. I never gave,” said the
emotional Canadian.
“I really do believe in my capabilities and I’m looking forward to my next
match.”
Andreescu, 20, was set to make her comeback as top seed in the warm-up
Grampians Trophy, but pulled out as a precautionary measure after spending 14
days in hard lockdown after arriving in Australia.
She had not played a competitive match since suffering a left knee injury
at the WTA Finals in October 2019, halting her rapid rise after a stunning
straights victory over Serena Williams in the final at Flushing Meadows that
year.
She plays Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan in the second round.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1421 hrs