Bianca Andreescu Becomes First Canadian Women to Win U.S Open

Bianca Andreescu has become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title in tennis after the Mississauga, Ontario teenager downed Serena Williams in back-to-back sets on Saturday to become the U.S. Open champion.

After firing off the final return, Andreescu shook her fist in a moment of celebration, fell to her knees and kissed the court before she headed to the net to embrace Serena Williams. Moments later, she walked to the stands where she climbed a ladder to embrace her team before hugging her parents.

Saturday’s final at the U.S. Open was a rematch from when the two met in the finals of the Rogers Cup, one that Andreescu won due to William’s retiring with back spasms after going down three games to one in the opening set. That was the second win of the year for Andreescu this season, and with the U.S. Open win, she now will see her world rank jump into the top 10.

While today’s match saw Serena Williams appear to struggle to keep pace with Andreescu, who at 19 years younger seemed able to maintain pressure from the beginning to the end. After going up 3-1 in the first set in what included a multiple break point game, Bianca Andreescu sent a wicked backhand return that was beyond Williams reach only to see Williams double fault giving Andreescu a first set win of 6-3.

US Open Tennis Championships

As Andreescu headed to her chair, she pumped her fist before taking her first set break. There was little doubt the first set win gave Andreescu a confidence boost after facing one of the best in the sport. That confidence was clear as the second start began with Andreescu going up 5-1 and looking like she would make quick work of Williams.

However, the seasoned veteran was far from finished and fought back the four game deficit to tie the second set 5-5, a move that with the crowds supporting Williams, saw Andreescu making unforced error after unforced error as she watched her lead diminish. Yet, as the two went into the final games of the set, it was Andreescu who won the next two and with it, the U.S. Open and Canadian tennis history.

Andreescu has made headlines in the world of Canadian sports this year earning praise from other notable Canadian sports icons such as Steve Nash, Sidney Crosby and Sidney Crosby. Williams herself said that Andreescu will be a force to reckon with in tennis and even the legend Billie Jean King mentioned Andreescu in several tweets.

Andreescu did not have an easy run at the U.S. Open having played two matches that went three sets. She had less than 24 hours rest after her 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 quarterfinal victory over Elise Mertens before playing in the semifinals and a one days rest before the final. Yet, even though she may have been tired, she found the resolve and energy to perform at a level Williams herself is known for doing.

Williams was relentless in her other matches tearing up her opponents in her push to win her 24th major title, one that has eluded her since returning to the sport after the birth of her daughter. The final even saw the Duchess of Sussex, Meaghan Markle flying over to be in attendance and support her long-time friend. Other notable stars in the crowds included Venus Williams, her and Serena’s mother, Spike Lee and John McEnroe