New York (AFP)
Canadian sensation Bianca Andreescu, 15th in the world at age 19, qualified Saturday for her first knockout round of a Grand Slam by eliminating Carolina Wozniacki (19th) 6-4, 6-4 at the US Open.
"Everything I've learned in the last two years is taking shape," said the Canadian.
She will face American Taylor Townsend (116th and qualifying) for a place in the quarterfinals. A Canadian of Romanian descent, Andreescu says her model is World No.4 Simona Halep ... who was eliminated in the second round this year at Flushing Meadows by Townsend.
Andreescu, who was 178th in the world at the end of the 2018 season, exploded at the highest level this year, including a title in Toronto where she benefited from the retirement of Serena Williams in the final.
Missing at Wimbledon because of an injury, she was eliminated in the second round in Australia and Roland Garros where she played for the first time large paintings.
Wozniacki, former world No.1, was weakened by a right ankle injury that she had healed at the side change between the two innings. She clung to it by breaking twice in the second set, but despite a few flashes, she lost.
© 2019 AFP