Barty defends title as Bianca limps out
World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty defended her Miami Open title with victory over Bianca Andreescu, who was forced to retire injured during the second set in yesterday’s final. Top seed Barty, herself battling a suspected abdominal injury, had taken the opening set 6-3 and then twice broke the Canadian to lead 4-0 in the second. Andreescu, the eighth seed, had gone over on her ankle during game two of the second set and needed treatment from the physiotherapist at courtside. Despite being strapped up, the issue did not resolve itself and the 20-year-old,
US Open champion in 2019, could not continue, breaking down in tears as she was forced to concede defeat and hand Barty the title.
It was a second WTA Tour triumph of 2021 for the Australian, and her 10th career title. Andreescu’s run to the final is projected to move her up three spots in the WTA rankings to world No. 6.