Miami Open 2023: Former U.S. Open champ Bianca Andreescu left the court wincing in pain in a wheelchair at the Miami Open on Monday after retiring hurt from her last 16 match against Russain Ekaterina Alexandrova. During a return game in the 2nd set, Andreescu injured her ankle and collapsing to the court as she yelled in pain. The match was delayed due to rain by two hours after the first set was completed, Andreescu broke her opponents serve as the second set started and went down in the third game of the second, grabbing her left ankle. Follow Miami Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
After receiving medical attention on court she was lifted into a wheelchair and taken off court while she was in tears. Alexandrova advanced 7-6(0) 0-2 (ret.) and will face Petra Kvitova in the next round, who defeated Varvara Gracheva 7-5 7-6(5).
Alexandrova sympathized with Bianca Andreescu
I’m just really sorry that it happened to (Andreescu),” Alexandrova said. “Seeing her on the court in so much pain, it’s just painful to watch.
“You cannot help, you just can do nothing, which is terrible. And I think she’s going to be fine soon, and I’m wishing for her speedy recovery.”
While receiving treatment Andreescu yelled “I’ve never felt this much pain.”
Andreescu was hugged by Alexandrova before she was taken off court, the WTA later confirming a left ankle injury.
Sad scenes as Bianca Andreescu is forced to retire due to an ankle injury and leaves the court on a wheelchair 😔
Ekaterina Alexandrova advances to the #MiamiOpen Quarterfinals with a 7-6 (0), 0-2 ret. win. pic.twitter.com/efAcBJukfn
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 28, 2023
Andreescu’s prior struggle with injuries
In 2021 she retired from the final in the Miami Open after suffering a right ankle injury against Ashleigh Barty
The 22-year-old, who won the US Open in 2019 but then missed all of 2020 due to injury, returned to the circuit last April after a six-month break.
This year in the Miami Open, she has looked very much back to her best with wins over Emma Raducanu, Maria Sakkari and Sofia Kenin.
The fourth round match had been subject to a lengthy rain delay but the court did not appear to wet or to be a factor in the injury.