Day Twelve, and the two singles finals at Indian Wells.
BNP Paribas Open - a WTA Premier Mandatory category tournament, on Hard Plexipave, in Indian Wells, California, USA, 4-17 March 2019.
Defending champion:
Naomi Osaka who defeated Dasha Kasatkina (20) 6-3 6-2
WTA final
- Angie Kerber (8) v wildcard Bianca Andreescu
Two ends of the spectrum:
31 year old German star Kerber, winner of 12 WTA titles, including 3 at Grand Slam level. Current Wimbledon champion.
18 year old Canadian star of the future Andreescu, finalist in Auckland and semi finalist in Acapulco.
All attacking Andreescu had been successful with her aggressive tactics all tournament, but would have her patience tested by Kerber who annoys opponents by consistently returning the best of shots, rarely committing unforced errors, and happily rallying until dark.
Kerber served first and had 30-15, including a forehand winner. Then trouble beset her. A netted German forehand, and a Canadian backhand winner combined to produce the first break point of the match. It was dissolved. A forehand from Kerber floated long and created a second break chance, also dismissed. A double fault brought up a third break opportunity which Kerber staved off with an effective drop shot.
The fourth break point arose thanks to a stunning drop shot from Andreescu. A nervous double fault ended the game and Andreescu led 1-0.
Andreescu slammed a down the line winner to begin her opening service game. A double fault was the only point she surrendered in a game highlighted by a consistently savage forehand.
Kerber served well for the rest of set one, not having to deal with any more break points, in fact never being taken to deuce. Her problem was Andreescu serving just as decisively, and at 5-4 having the chance of taking a set lead.
The first Andreescu forehand was pushed wide and 0-15. Then Kerber put a backhand long and Andreescu with a serve volley combo made it 30-15. A double fault and 30-30. Set point arrived after another big serve volley success. A forehand winner and the set to Canada 6-4
In set two, Kerber found herself in danger, needing to save two break points and traverse three deuces, in game three. Having done this, the experience of Kerber began to shine through.
Andreescu wasted two game points and allowed Kerber to use the one break point. Unforced errors and the break came. 3-1 Kerber.
Serving at 2-5, Andreescu survived four deuces before holding. 5-3 and Kerber serving to tie the match. She did, a netted backhand from Andreescu ending the set 6-3.
Four games into the decider, and no break points, although Andreescu was taken to deuce in game three and took a medical time out after that.
The real action began with the teenager at the line 2-2.
Two unforced errors, with a double fault in between, saw Andreescu down two break points. A winning forehand saved one. A netted Canadian backhand confirmed the break and Kerber led 3-2.
A drop shot lob combo from Andreescu made it 15-30 on the Kerber serve. An overhead winner and two break points. An off forehand winner and the break back. 3-3.
A love game consolidated the break for Andreescu and she led 4-3. A forehand winner down the line in that game was incredible.
The pair then traded service breaks, Kerber bravely saving three match points when Andreescu served for it.
At 4-5, Kerber had to hold serve, something she’d failed to do the last two tries.
Overhead winner from Andreescu 15-0. Kerber forehand down the line forced the error 15-15. Andreescu return forehand winner 15-30. Netted Canadian backhand 30-30. Slashing Andreescu off forehand winner produced a fourth match point.
When Kerber hit the net with a final backhand, Bianca Andreescu had completed a stunning tournament win 6-4 3-6 6-4.
As Naomi Osaka did last year, Bianca Andreescu used the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells to capture her first WTA title. A ranking rise from #60 to #24. And #5 in the 2019 WTA Race.
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