'Barely standing': US Open epic finishes in 'crushing' scenes
Bianca Andreescu and Maria Sakkari took part in an all-time US Open classic match in the round of 16 clash, but the thriller finished in distressing scenes.
Sakkari overcame former US Open champ Andreescu 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted more than three and a half hours, which finished at 2.30am local time.
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But, the match ended in dramatic fashion with Andreescu in severe pain due to an injury to her right leg sustained in the final set.
Andreescu has dealt with a horror run of injuries since her maiden US Open title win in 2019.
And in the match against Sakkari her body again appeared to fail her after taking an MTO in the final set.
Falling behind, Andreescu dramatically attempted to fight back with some big ground strokes.
However, the Canadian fell over multiple times and grimaced with agony as her opponent moved her around the court.
Sakkari was able to close out the match after five match points with both players earning high praise for their relentless efforts.
Andreescu in a lot of pain and can barely walk. Crowd trying its hardest to will her to victory however they can — including a lady near me singing the Canadian national anthem in between points
— D'Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) September 7, 2021
Andreescu barely standing, but still giving her all. What a match. #USOpen
— AM. (@akm_theotherone) September 7, 2021
Andreescu is not fine. She needs to be careful or she could injure herself really badly. #USOpen
— TheRealBallGirl (@TheRealBallGirl) September 7, 2021
Crowd chanting "Bianca! Bianca! Bianca!..." trying to will her to stay in the match but every single serve or long volley and Andreescu is in major pain
The woman is tough as hell though.#USOpen https://t.co/JqBBBhDGzF— Shelly (@ChiMizzouLA) September 7, 2021
Andreescu looks to be in so much pain.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) September 7, 2021
I'm Canadian, and cheering for Andreescu, but she puzzles me....
— Jeff Hendrick (@jeffhendrick) September 7, 2021
Sakkari is such a machine. So relentless. Admiring both her and Andreescu so much. This is all heart from both athletes. Crazy guts on display!#USOpen
— Cüda (@SaidCuda) September 7, 2021
Andreescu emerges from medical timeout with left thigh taped/strapped
This has been a physical affair
Just over six minutes between points— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) September 7, 2021
Andreescu-Sakkari has been one of the most entertaining tennis matches I’ve seen in a long time. Relentless, both of them. Two pit bulls.
— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) September 7, 2021
This is absolutely ungodly guts and courage by Andreescu. Most would have called it quits by now
— Dan Leach (@DanLeach971) September 7, 2021
Even for Bianca Andreescu, this is dramatic.#USOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 7, 2021
Andreescu has tumbled, done the splits, has a bummed leg now and is STILL giving this match everything she has! Win or lose this woman is a machine
— SammiiRideout (@sammiirideout) September 7, 2021
Hard to watch Bianca Andreescu’s body fail her again. Crushing way fo lose. What a match. Sakkari could’ve played 5 sets
— Brendan Dunlop (@Brendan_Dunlop) September 7, 2021
Andreescu's horror run with injuries
Since winning the 2019 US Open, Andreescu has suffered a tough run of injuries and virus related setbacks.
The Canadian withdrew from the Tokyo Olympic Games earlier this year.
In May, she retired hurt in the Miami Open final against Ash Barty with a right foot injury.
Since the US Open final in 2019, she spent 15 months on the sidelines with a knee injury before finally returning to the court at the Australian Open in February.
She tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of the clay-court campaign and was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round.
Andreescu became Canada's first grand slam singles champion with her 2019 US Open.
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