The comeback queen is back.

PARIS | Bianca Andreescu took advantage of the resilience that has characterized her since her professional debut to climb the hill again, on Monday, at Roland-Garros, and overcome a tenacious qualifier who almost opened the door for her from the first round.

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Led by a set and a break, very close to the brink after finding herself three points from defeat on the small and packed Court 7, the Canadian turned it around late in the second set to win 3-6, 7-5. and 6-0 against Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure, 168^Y world.

Andreescu admits: I was nervous at the beginning of the match.

“My game went everywhere and she played exceptional tennis. She was choosing the right tactics at the right time.”

The stat sheet from the first race won’t end up along the lines of your career best. Broken three times on six occasions, “Bibi” also multiplied unforced errors, many times because she was outplayed by her 27-year-old opponent.

“I really had to calm down, rethink my tactics, because I felt like what I was doing wasn’t working. That’s what I managed to do and I’m really pleased,” she explained.

At the end of the second set, the Ontarian recovered her offensive game, and this time it was the Belgian who had to revise her game patterns, but to no avail. Andreescu, having dropped to 72^Y world rank in recent months, then developed into the third inning.

almost lost his cool

The last set was marked by a break of almost an hour caused by the showers. Andreescu left only crumbs for his opponent.

“I really almost lost my temper at times, but I had to hold back,” the former fourth-place WTA player said. I had to adapt, because not only was I playing poorly, but she was also playing very well. »

Andreescu is in his first games on tour since the five-month hiatus that began in October after the Indian Wells tournament.

A saving break for your mental health. Because now it is known, the Canadian was struggling at the end of the last campaign. He even considered hanging the racket from him at one point.

And his return, under such circumstances, goes very well. She reached the round of 16 in Stuttgart and Madrid, then the quarterfinals in Rome.

the combative

But on Monday, in Paris, in this three-set victory, Andreescu showed that despite the failures of recent seasons, despite the uncertainty that has inhabited her for a few months, she had not lost her fighting spirit.

This sheer tenacity helped her win Indian Wells, Toronto and the US Open in 2019 while still a teenager.

On four occasions, in both Indian Wells and Toronto, he needed three sets to win. But where can you get so much resilience?

“I try not to just focus on my game,” he explained. I also give credit to my rival, I try to find solutions. And above all, I always tell myself: “It’s not over until it’s over”, she smiles.

a big challenge

Tenacity, Andreescu will probably need it again in the next round, when she takes on Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, 14^Y sown, Wednesday. The Canadian has a victory in her career against her next rival: it was precisely at the US Open 2019, in the semifinals.

“I hope I managed to get rid of my nervousness for good,” he said. But every first round of a tournament, I feel a bit stressed. Once I found my feet, I hope it will help me for the next one. »

Tuesday will mark the debut of 14-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov.^Y favourite, who will face Dane Holger Rune, 40^Y around the world, around 5 am Quebec time. Félix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu return on Wednesday.

live from paris

Roland-Garros panama hats

They had given way to umbrellas in the colors of Roland-Garros on Monday, but on beautiful sunny days at the Porte d’Auteuil, the Panama hat is everywhere in the stands. Roland has always had this craze for hats. For a few years now, it is the Panama hat -from Ecuador- that has been the quintessential fashion item on the stands. If several spectators have received this gift from a tournament sponsor, it is also possible to find these toquilla straw hats in the shops that abound on the site. But the panama is not for all pockets. The top-of-the-line version, made from real straw, will set you back 95 euros, or about $130. Fortunately (!), there are also versions made from synthetic materials, which retail for between $61 and $88. In 2017, the site The express he estimated that some 2,000 Panama hats had been sold during the Paris fortnight. But if you just want to protect your head from sunstroke, a simple cap will also do the trick. Promise!

french breakfast

Beaten in the first round on Sunday by Poland’s Magda Linette, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur said she was disappointed to have to play at Philippe-Chatrier at 11 am And not just because she never won on the main court in Paris.

“The spectators were having breakfast. There was hardly anyone when we started, which is a shame! »

It’s true that the French have a reputation for being late for the first few games of the day, even on the biggest pitches, where the best matchups are scheduled.

“Starting on a Sunday at 11 am was very hard to swallow. It was too soon! He added the one who was the sixth favorite.