Paris, France) – For the first time in her professional career, Bianca Andreescu will play the third round of Roland Garros. After winning a difficult start against Victoria Azarenka last Tuesday, the 22-year-old Canadian and former world number 4 overtook North American Emma Navarro, 75th place, by 6/1 and 6/4 on Thursday.

“I played very well today. I followed my game plan and felt comfortable from start to finish. I think the crowd also helped boost my energy in the important moments. So it was really good,” Andreescu said after the fast start to the competition. 1h10.

Currently ranked 42nd, Andreescu is trying to regain confidence. After winning the 2019 US Open title, the Canadian suffered a knee injury that sidelined her for more than a year. Afterwards, he had new physical problems and also retired from competitions for another seven months to take care of his mental health. Recently in Miami, he came back from good games, but injured his left ankle and tore two ligaments, resuming his career now in the clay court season.

“In Miami I felt good. But in the last few weeks I had a lot of bad days and a lot of negative thoughts came. So this game with Vika gives me confidence in that sense. I want to feel that will win again, like in 2019, more than ever”, revealed Andreescu, during the press conference in Paris.

The Canadian says it’s been hard to live with expectations since winning her first Grand Slam. “Looking back on 2019, I always thought it was only going to get better. But a lot of things have happened and gone the other way around. I still think about the year I had in 2019, but I also want to stay in the moment. It’s always good to have that memory that I’m a Grand Slam champion because sometimes I forget.”

“Sometimes I feel really insecure, not being able to do anything else after 2019 and not living up to the expectations I set for myself and everyone around me, so I just try to stay positive as much as possible. I can. I know it’s cliché, but it works for me,” added the winner of three WTA tournaments, Indian Wells, Toronto and US Open. “So, I hope to get more wins soon because time is running out… I will soon be 23. And when you see Coco Gauff and/or Fruhvirtova, I think my time is running out (laughs).”

Duel with Tsurenko in the next round in Paris
Andreescu is making his fourth appearance in the Roland Garros main draw and is on his best campaign yet. Her next opponent will be Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko, who was leading on the scoreboard against American Lauren Davis by 6/3 and 1/0 when her rival dropped out. The Canadian is aiming for an unprecedented victory in three games against the rival.

“I know the next game will be very physical. She fights for every ball. So I really have to put the pressure on from the start. I’ve never had an easy game against her and I’m sure the crowd will love it.” , added the former top 5. If she wins one more, she could cross paths with world number 1 Iga Swiatek, who faces Chinese Xinyu Wang.