The 2019 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells finished on Sunday in dramatic fashion with another closely contested clash. There’s more about Bianca Andreescu’s sensational victory in this post. Attention quickly switches to the brand new Miami Open which i’m excited about! I’ll be sharing my thoughts on selected matches throughout the tournament so stay tuned for that. Read on for Monday’s Set Points…
Andreescu d. Kerber to win Indian Wells
Bianca Andreescu just won Indian Wells… capping off an incredible run, Andreescu beat Angelique Kerber in Sunday’s ripper of a final, 6-4 3-6 6-4 in two hours and 20 minutes. There have been so many competitive matches this tournament so it was rather fitting that the 2019 BNP Paribas Open closed out with a three setter. In my opinion, it was one of the most exciting matches of the year so far and I was screaming at the end 😂.
I was blown away by Andreescu’s performance in the final. Her tactics were spot on as she consistently looped up the ball to Kerber’s backhand, managing to open up the court to then dictate. Andreescu was aggressive and always look to come forward, persisting with the tactic even when she made some errors. Her forehand was absolutely lethal in the last 20 minutes of the match.
This final was very similar to the Andreescu-Svitolina semi-final. There was a moment in the decider where I felt Kerber had it in the bag. Andreescu has been incredibly resilient in her last two matches, managing to overcome dips in form with sudden and unexpected surges of great play. Andreescu also converted on her fourth match point. I don’t know how she managed to steady herself having missed three MPs at *5-3. An exceptional mental effort.
I felt there was a moment in the decider where Kerber could have stamped her authority on the match with Andreescu struggling physically towards the end. I think the German player backed off at the end, but still, it was a solid display. It’s one of the most sensational title runs i’ve witnessed in my years of following the WTA and Andreescu is now into the world’s top 25. Andreescu is also the highest ranked player that I don’t have any photos of!
Andreescu’s press conference
Well worth a listen…
Miami draw
We move immediately onto Miami with main draw action to begin on Tuesday. The draw doesn’t seem to have the potential blockbuster second rounders that Indian Wells had, but there are some really enticing openers. I’m going to delve into the draw tonight!
Barbora Strycova vs. Marketa Vondrousova
Daria Gavrilova vs. Viktoria Kuzmova
Victoria Azarenka vs. Dominika Cibulkova
Andrea Petkovic vs. Amanda Anisimova
CoCo Gauff vs. Catherine McNally
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I’m glad the new generation started to deliver on big stages, Andreescu is the real deal, her only problem is her fitness. She must attend this problem asap. Bencic had this problem too in her breakthrough year and she lost 2 years with injuries, wich was a pity. She need a world top fitness trainer and now she has the money to hire one. Exciting future for the WTA in the years to come, don’t think my favourite Vika has any chance to make the top again with all the talented and hungry teenagers coming up for scalps:)))
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Yes I hope Andreescu can stay healthy. Indian Wells is probably the toughest draw for an unseeded player to play a Slam draw in only a week and a half!
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Do you think she’ll play? She must be exhausted! And she’s had some injury niggles too
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I think she’ll play but not expecting much! I’ve got Andreescu out to Kenin in R2 in my draw.
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Kenin has been so SO good to watch this year! All the young American women are really stepping up to the plate, actually. It could be a very American top 20 in the next few years.
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Really excited to see how Cori Guaff plays!
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Yes and McNally too. Hoping to catch that match as never seen them play before.
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