Defending champ Andreescu holds off Riske in Indian Wells return

Reuters- Defending women’s champion Bianca Andreescu earned a hard-fought 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 win over American Alison Riske on her return to the Indian Wells tournament on Saturday.

Andreescu, who was back at the Southern California event for the first time since her 2019 title win, was pushed to the limit by the unseeded Riske before the Canadian won the first set tiebreak. Andreescu seemed to find her rhythm in the second set but Riske saved two match points to force a decider.

World number 21 Andreescu held her nerve to wrap up the match which lasted nearly three hours - and will face Anett Kontaveit in the third round.