Bianca Andreescu’s giant-killing run at Indian Wells has continued in the final as the teenager upset world No.8 Angelique Kerber to become the first wildcard winner of the prestigious WTA tournament.
The 18-year-old Canadian prevailed 6-4 3-6 6-4 in two hours and 12 minutes against the three-time major champion to become the youngest champion of a WTA Premier Mandatory event – the four biggest tournaments outside of the grand slams and the season-ending WTA Finals.
Andreescu overcame nerves, arm and leg issues and exhaustion in the final set on Sunday to earn the first title of her fledgling career.
She, fought back from a break down in the deciding set, to win on her fourth match point when Kerber netted a backhand.
German Kerber was the last of five seeded players that Andreescu knocked off in her seven matches in the desert.
Kerber remains without a title since she won Wimbledon last year.
Andreescu is projected to rise 36 spots to No.24 in the WTA Tour rankings on Monday after she started the year at 152nd.