Rising Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu has confirmed she'll return to the ASB Classic.
The 19-year-old thrilled Kiwi tennis fans earlier this year, when she reached the final in her first visit to Auckland.
Andreescu has been the form player of 2019, holding a staggering 89 percent win record - the best of any player on the WTA Tour
She has captured three titles at Cincinatti, Indian Wells and her home tournament, the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
Andreescu has not lost a match against a top 10 player, beating six of the world's best on her rise through the rankings, including Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Svitolina, Angelique Kerber, Kiki Bertens, Karolina Pliskova and Serena Williams.
Ranked 152 in the world when she arrived in Auckland last December, the Canadian forced her way into the ASB Classic through qualifying.
She took out top seed Wozniacki, sixth seed Venus Williams and third seed Su-Wei Hseih to reach her maiden WTA Tour singles final, before eventually bowing to defending champion Julia Goerges in an epic three-set match.
The heavy-hitting teenager has now reached a career-high of world No.9 on live rankings and is forecast to go higher by year's end. She can't wait to return to New Zealand.
“It all started in Auckland for me," she said. "I had high expectations starting the season but to beat Caroline and Venus in my first week was unbelievable.
“It has just been such an amazing year. I feel really comfortable with my game at the moment and for me, that really did start in Auckland.
"I can’t wait to get back. It is such a nice way to start the season and who knows, maybe I can go one better."
Newshub.
