Bianca Andreescu knocked out of Wimbledon qualifying: Another Grand Slam main draw missed

Bianca Andreescu has once again been eliminated in a Grand Slam qualifying round, falling to fellow Canadian Carson Branstine 6-7(3), 6-4, 1-6. The former US Open champion had won her first qualifying match but was defeated in the second round, missing out on a spot in the main draw.

This is a disappointing loss for Andreescu, arguably the highest-profile name in the qualifiers, and marks her second consecutive Grand Slam where she has failed to reach the main draw. A month ago at Roland Garros, she also competed in qualifying, losing to Japan's Nao Hibino in the second round.

However, with each passing week, Andreescu had been building more match rhythm, securing a couple of victories at the Libema Open to reach the quarterfinals, and then losing in the first round of the Berlin Ladies Open to Amanda Anisimova. This time, however, she was favored against Branstine, who is from the same generation as Andreescu and with whom she previously partnered in doubles, reaching the Quebec Open final in 2017.

Andreescu squandered a break lead in the first set, when she was serving at 5-4 with a chance to clinch the set. However, she missed her opportunity, and Branstine managed to force a tie-break, ultimately winning a crucial first set.

While Andreescu fought back in the second set – overcoming a 2-4 deficit – her level deflated in the final set. Branstine ultimately secured the 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1 victory and advanced to the third round of qualifying for the first time in her career. Branstine has no previous appearances in a Grand Slam main draw and has now eliminated two high-profile names from qualifying: France's Lois Boisson (a French Open semifinalist a few weeks ago) and now former world No. 4 Andreescu.

The Canadian will have to overcome one last challenge to access the main draw when she faces Raluca Serban, a 28-year-old player representing Cyprus.