Simona Halep has battled back from a set and match point down to deny Bianca Andreescu in a thrilling encounter at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
Andreescu looked set to add yet another big-name scalp to her stunning 2019 CV before the Wimbledon champion dug deep to eke out a spirited 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 victory over the teenage sensation.
Halep’s steely recovery came after defending champion Elina Svitolina edged second seed Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (14-12) 6-4 in Monday night’s opening match from the Purple Group.
But it was the much-anticipated battle between two of the year’s four grand slam winners that had Chinese fans captivated for for more than two-and-a-half hours.
Andreescu, who this time last year was ranked No.185 in the world and about to play a $60,000 ITF Circuit event in Toronto, promised to bring a “different vibe” to the court – and did so while appearing the likely winner for much of the contest.
Mixing Nick Kyrgios-like tweeners with deft drop shots and funky forehand slices, the US Open champion reached match point with Halep serving at 5-6 in the second set.
But after over-hitting hitting her usually reliable backhand, it was opportunity lost for the 19-year-old fourth seed.
Despite winning more points and breaking Halep’s serve more times, Andreescu finished on the wrong side of the scoreline and most likely now must beat both Svitolina and Pliskova in her remaining pool matches to make the semi-finals on debut at the elite eight-woman season finale.
Compounding her troubles, after losing two matches in a row for the first time all year, the Canadian is battling a back injury after requiring two medical time-outs for treatment during Monday’s sapping encounter.
Andreescu also hurt her shin hitting herself with her racquet.
There was only joy and relief for Halep, who called Australian super-coach Darren Cahill regularly to the court during changeovers for pep talks as she battled mental demons throughout the rollercoaster affair that featured 13 service breaks and as many momentum shifts.
In joining Svitolina with an early 1-0 record, fifth-seeded Halep is in a strong position to advance to the last four ahead of her last two group matches against Svitolina and Pliskova.
