Skip to content

Andreescu outlasts Mertens to reach 1st career Grand Slam semifinal

Tim Clayton - Corbis / Corbis Sport / Getty

Bianca Andreescu is off to her first career Grand Slam semifinal after rallying from a set down to defeat Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Wednesday's US Open quarterfinal.

She becomes the third Canadian woman to reach the final four in Flushing Meadows and the first since 1984.

"This is honestly so crazy," Andreescu told ESPN's Tom Rinaldi post-match. "A year ago, I was in the qualifying round. I was suffering from a back injury. And now what I've accomplished this year, I'm honestly speechless.

"I need someone to pinch me right now. Is this real life?"

Andreescu will play the No. 13 seed Belinda Bencic after the latter defeated Donna Vekic in straight sets.

The Mississauga, Ont., native finished with 40 winners and 33 unforced errors while Mertens had 22 and 27, respectively.

It was Andreescu's 12th straight three-set victory as she improved to an impressive 43-4 on the year. The 19-year-old's breakthrough season includes her first career WTA titles at Indian Wells and Toronto.

Andreescu will enter the top 10 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox