No. 1 Barty defends title when Andreescu retires
Bianca Andreescu gutted out four consecutive three-set matches to reach Saturday’s Miami Open final, including a rain-delayed semifinal that ended just after 1:30 a.m. on Friday. The 20-year-old Canadian, back on tour after a 16-month layoff, was overjoyed to be playing for a trophy again.
But she twisted her right ankle in the second set against defending champion and world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, and, on the advice of her fitness coach made the difficult decision to retire, trailing 6-3, 4-0, securing the title for Barty.
Andreescu, never one to hide her emotions, crouched down, buried her face in her hands and shed a few tears before heading to her seat to pack up her bags. It was especially tough because she was coming off an injuryplagued year following her 2019 U.S. Open title.
“It’s brutal, never the way you want to finish a match, particularly in a final,” Barty said after collecting her $300,110 first prize. “I really do feel for Bianca. I think she’s had