Photo – Martin Sidorjak
Bianca Andreescu continued her strong run of form on grass courts, defeating Linda Noskova 6-3, 7-6(5) to advance the third round of Wimbledon.
The Mississauga native ripped 28 winners and was a perfect 5/5 on break points saved as she knocked off the 26th seed from Czechia in 1 hour and 33 minutes.
The Canadian was keen to dictate the pace of play from the outset, as she promptly broke the Czechian’s serve to build an early 3-0 lead in the opening set.
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Andreescu maintained her aggressive tennis, keeping the 19-year-old off balance by controlling the court with her serve and forehand.
The players traded games the rest of the way before the Canadian closed out the first set on serve, 6-3.
The 24-year-old captured 79% of points on her first serve and went a flawless 6/6 at the net.
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However, the match would tighten up in the second set, with little margin separating the two players.
Andreescu withstood some early pressure from the hard-hitting Czech, saving one break point chance to hold for 2-2.
While the Canadian created a series of chances of her own on return, Noskova staved off three break point opportunities to hold for a 4-3 edge.
After Andreescu responded with a love hold to make it 4-4, and the competitors would trade games until the business end of the set.
Entering a second set tiebreak, the 2019 US Open champion made the first move on the scoreboard, winning three of four points to forge ahead 5-2.
Leading 6-4 in the tiebreak, Andreescu sealed the victory on her second match point with a backhand winner to close the affair in straight sets.
The former world no. 4 improves to 8-3 in 2024 and returns to the third round at the All England Club for a second consecutive year.
Andreescu is enjoying a career year on grass courts, also reaching the finals of the Libema Open on the surface two weeks.
She will now face the winner of Jasmine Paolini and Greet Minnen in the round of 32.
