The champion returns 👑 #BNPPO21 | @Bandreescu_
The defending champion Bianca Andreescu made her return to Indian Wells and she won her BNP Paribas Open opener easily 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2.
A good start was made by Bianda Andreescu in her attempt to defend her 2019 Indian Wells title. The opponent Alison Riske is a tricky one whose form has gotten better in the past few weeks. However, the conditions much more favoured Andreescu who was given plenty of time to set up her devastating baseline game.
The start was pretty good by Andreescu who had early break points that were left unused but not long after that Andreescu found a breakthrough. She took a 3-2 lead but also gave it right back to make it 3-3. She would have more break points but Riske was able to hold on and force a tiebreak. In it, she capitulated with the Canadian winning 7-2.
The 2nd set started off easier for Andreescu as she was able to take an early lead however once again she had a lapse in focus to allow Riske to break back. The Canadian was fairly good when serving throughout the match but at times she would completely lose focus and make things harder on herself. Andreescu had 40-15 on Riske's serve at 5-4 to close out the match but failed to do so.
It cost her considerably as she lost the 2nd set with 7-5 and that was a proper wake up call. Andreescu played horribly to end the set and she came out much better in the final one. Strong from the baseline, deeply focused and relentless on return was the formula for Andreescu in the final one as she took an early 4-1 lead.
That proved enough to escape and keep the dream of another desert title run alive.
The champion returns 👑 #BNPPO21 | @Bandreescu_