After eight months of waiting! Former US Open champion Andreescu secures her first tour-level win.

On April 1, in the first round of the WTA500 Charleston, Andreescu, competing with a wildcard, overturned Garfey’s lead with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory.

Charleston is a lesser-known green clay event, and this being a first-round match naturally drew limited attention. Yet, for Andreescu, this contest carried profound significance.

For this triumph, Andreescu, once a US Open champion, had waited a full eight months, finally tasting the joy of a main draw victory on the tour yesterday.

From the process, Andreescu’s win was not easy. In the first set, she completely lacked rhythm, quickly surrendering it 1-6. She一度 feared she would once again miss out on a tour victory,辜负 the valuable wildcard granted by the organizers.

In the second set, Andreescu improved her serve quality, delivering all four aces of the match, while actively approaching the net to showcase her touch. At 4-3, Garfey finally faltered on a break point; this crucial break became the turning point of the entire match.

After dispelling her mental demons, Andreescu began to control the situation. In the latter two sets, she completely dominated her opponent, breaking four of the opponent’s last five service games, and losing only four points on her own serve in the third set. Following a 1-6 loss in the first set, she rallied to win the next two sets, especially delivering a酣畅淋漓逆转 in the third, announcing her return with a long-awaited victory.

In the 2019 US Open final, Andreescu defeated Serena Williams.

Fans familiar with Andreescu know that this 25-year-old talented player has long been plagued by injuries throughout her career. Her last win in a tour main draw was eight months ago in her hometown Montreal, where she defeated Krejcikova but unfortunately sprained her ankle during the match, forcing a withdrawal before the second round.

Expecting a smooth rebound after her return, reality proved格外残酷. Beijing, Osaka, Tokyo, Austin, Indian Wells – she suffered consecutive losses, including a three-set narrow defeat to Garfey in Austin. During that period, her world ranking一度 dropped to 228, seemingly fading from public view.

But true强者 never remain沉沦 indefinitely.

This year, Andreescu made a brave and清醒 decision – to humble herself and seek form in ITF events. Many players who have reached high rankings struggle to放下 their “架子,” unwilling to start anew in lower-level tournaments. After a difficult internal struggle, Andreescu decided to compete in ITF events.

“Actually, after resting for nine months in 2024, I wanted to do this, but my自尊心 held me back at that time. I feel it’s time to放下 these things and truly obtain what I always needed –那就是 matches. You can never guarantee ample实战机会, and the competitive atmosphere in ITF events is very high, with players fighting全力拼搏.”

In 2019, Andreescu won the Indian Wells women’s singles championship.

In January this year at ITF events in Florida, Andreescu achieved an impressive 13-1 record, claiming two consecutive titles; last month she also reached the final of the Austin WTA125 event. Within just ten weeks, Andreescu’s ranking soared from 228 to 140. She used实实在在 victories to gradually earn points and rebuild her confidence.

Tour-level events and ITF tournaments are完全不同; the former offers more comfortable playing environments, better conditions and保障, and higher prize money and points for players. Discussing the differences, Andreescu said, “The tour feels more comfortable,待遇也更好, and心态上 might be more relaxed. Matches in ITF events are like背水一战, these players are almost fighting for survival. I proved to myself that I can compete consecutively and maintain good form. I played 14 matches in 16 to 17 days, and my physical condition was quite good.”

Carrying the momentum of victories accumulated in ITF events, Andreescu returned to the WTA stage, but her ranking only allows her to participate in challengers; for most tour events, she relies on wildcards.

Early this year, Andreescu放弃 the Australian Open qualifiers to compete in ITF events, winning two consecutive titles at ITF W35 Bradenton and ITF W75 Vero Beach.

After securing this precious victory yesterday, Andreescu’s second-round opponent is another Grand Slam champion, the 16th seed Kenin. Their past record favors Andreescu with 4 wins and 1 loss, but this marks their first encounter on clay, promising an intriguing matchup.

Regarding this match, Andreescu calmly and sincerely stated: “For me, effort is most important. Today I gave my all, that’s enough. Also, focus and intent during matches – this is what I emphasize daily with my coach. As long as I achieve these two things, regardless of win or loss, I can accept it坦然.” This morning Beijing time, Andreescu lost to Kenin with two 4-6 sets, but through these two matches, her live ranking improved by 10 spots to No. 130, nearing eligibility for Grand Slam main draws.

Reflecting on past hardships, from being困扰 by injuries and ranking暴跌, to放下 pride and蛰伏 in lower-level tournaments, to now重新赢球 on the WTA stage, this former US Open champion completed a self-redemption over eight months.同时, Andreescu用实际行动证明 that true回归 is never instantaneous, but involves accepting imperfections,放下虚荣心, and refining oneself through each match.

This victory in Charleston might just be a beginning. For this once world-惊艳 US Open champion, the best times may still lie ahead.（Source: Tennis Home Author: Yun Juan Yun Shu）