For the first time in 50 years, a Canadian is playing in the women’s final at the Rogers Cup. The last time this occurred, it had a different name entirely — the Canadian Open.
At just 19 years old, fast-rising Bianca Andreescu has a chance to win in front of the home crowd in Toronto. It won’t be an easy feat, however, opposite one of the sport’s established greats in Serena Williams.
If she can pull it off, this win would mean an awful lot for Andreescu, who was born in nearby Mississauga.
Since bursting on to the scene at the Indian Wells tournament earlier this year, Andreescu has soared to No. 27 in the rankings, becoming a sensation among Canadian tennis watchers. A shoulder injury has held her out of recent tournaments, however, and she has had to play through a groin injury at the Rogers Cup.
Serena Williams, meanwhile, may be without a title win since the 2017 Australian Open, but she holds the 10-spot in the rankings and enters the final in a groove. Andreescu will have the support of the crowd, for sure, but Serena is used to playing in front of hostile crowds.
