'Anything is possible': Tennis world loses it over teenager's historic upset
Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu has created history after a stunning upset of Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the Indian Wells final.
The 18-year-old became the first wild card to win the WTA title with a gritty 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over the World No.8.
Andreescu shook off fatigue to topple Kerber, who hasn’t won a title since she beat Serena Williams in last year’s Wimbledon final for her third Grand Slam crown.
Ranked 60th coming into the tournament, Andreescu will rise to 24th in the world with her first WTA title.
When she finally converted her fourth match point she kissed the sun-baked court and flopped spread-eagled on her back.
“If you believe in yourself, anything is possible,” Andreescu said as she hoisted the crystal trophy as the youngest player ever to win one of the WTA’s prestigious Premier Mandatory tournaments.
Fans took to social media to hail Andreescu’s victory, calling it one of the greatest moments in Canadian tennis history.
Blissful Bianca 🙌@Bandreescu_ becomes the only @wta wildcard to win the Indian Wells title in tournament history with her 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Angelique Kerber.#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/QmBMg0tyrQ
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2019
.@Bandreescu_ before the @BNPPARIBASOPEN started:
"I do see myself winning a Grand Slam, maybe even more, and making a name for myself, making history.” https://t.co/K8UNFuzpkD
From No.152 at the start of the year, she’ll be No.24 on Monday.#BNPPO2019 pic.twitter.com/hfCalkoXWM
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 17, 2019
Rakatatitita: Bianca ‘Bibi’ Andreescu announces her presence in women’s tennis with an emphatic run to the WTA Indian Wells title, toughing out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Angie Kerber.
Out of almost nowhere, the 18-year-old has won the biggest triumph in Canadian tennis history.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 17, 2019
What a performance from 18-year-old Canadian wild card Bianca Andreescu (ranked No 60), who becomes the youngest Indian Wells women's champion since Serena Williams (then 17) in 1999. Beats Angelique Kerber 6-4 3-6 6-4.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) March 17, 2019
What an amazing story! 🙌
At just 18 years of age, wildcard entry Bianca Andreescu has WON the BNP Paribas Open at #IndianWells!
She showed so much strength to overcome injury and fatigue and defeat Kerber 6-4,3-6.,6-4.
A star is born! ⭐️ #WTA #ItTakesWTA pic.twitter.com/gM8r8qUEPk
— BT Sport (@btsport) March 17, 2019
Bianca Andreescu, an unseeded 18-year-old wildcard from Canada, has just become the youngest woman to win the indian Wells title since 17-year-old Serena Williams in 1999. Defeats three-time major champ Angie Kerber 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. What a run. What a talent.
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) March 17, 2019
She’s done it!
Bianca Andreescu wins Indian Wells, the unofficial fifth Slam.
From 152 to start the year, she’ll rise to No 24 in the World.
The first Canadian to win a WTA Premier event.
One of the biggest wins in Canadian tennis history.
— Caroline Cameron (@SNCaroline) March 17, 2019
Bianca Andreescu. 18-years-young. Champion at Indian Wells.
Canada's best sports story of 2019. #OurGame
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) March 17, 2019
‘If you believe in yourself, anything is possible.’
Ladies and gentlemen, your @BNPPARIBASOPEN champion @Bandreescu_! pic.twitter.com/ODRqHF6LoZ
— WTA (@WTA) March 17, 2019
It’s another giant step in a breakout season for Andreescu, who finished 2018 ranked 178th in the world.
She has racked up 28 match wins in 2019 across all levels, including qualifying and challenger circuit wins — but Sunday’s triumph was a cut above.
She had held for 2-1 in the third when she received treatment on her right arm and shoulder and looked to be flagging when she was broken in the fifth game.
Urged by her coach at the change over to push through, Andreescu dug deep.
She broke Kerber in the next game, taking a 15-30 lead with a lovely drop shot-lob combination, and giving herself a break point with an overhead winner before converting with another forehand winner.
She broke Kerber again for a 5-3 lead but had to call on her last reserves as Kerber saved three match points in the next game on the way to earning a break.
But Andreescu broke Kerber for the third time in the set to seal the victory, giving herself a break point with a blistering forehand before Kerber ended things with a ball into the net.
With agencies
