Ashleigh Barty topples injured Bianca Andreescu to defend Miami Open crown

Ashleigh Barty topples injured Bianca Andreescu to defend Miami Open crown

Ashleigh Barty

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty defeated an injured 8th seed Bianca Andreescu, 6-3, 4-0 to successfully defend her Miami title on Saturday. She became the sixth woman to defend a Miami Open crown.

Barty is the first No.1 seed to win the Miami Open since Serena Williams in 2015. The Australian will remain at World No.1 after her title defense.

The Aussie’s forehand was in impressive form as she backed on that wing to build an early lead. She broke Andreescu for 2-0 with a passing winner off of that side, then held on with ease to consolidate for 3-0.

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There was no looking back for Barty as she rallied past the Canadian forward. The big serves were the cherry on top for her.

Bianca Andreescu couldn’t complete the match due to injury

She has now won 12 consecutive matches at the tournament, although her first-ever meeting with fellow Grand Slam champion Andreescu ended shortly after the Canadian unfortunately suffered an injury at 2-0 in the second set and then retired two games later.

Despite a miserable final, Andreescu’s bold and brave run to the final means she still boasts a stunning 33-2 win-loss record in North America since the start of 2019.

After the tournament, Barty will keep her No.1 ranking while Andreescu is projected to move up three spots in the rankings to World No.6.

Watch- The Miami Open 2021 Final

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