Bianca Andreescu in the quarterfinals

NEW YORK | Bianca Andreescu has said it several times since the beginning of the fortnight, she is in an area where she feels she can beat anyone. In front of a big challenge yesterday against local favorite Taylor Townsend, the Canadian has once again found a way out with victory.

The Ontario won, not without difficulty in three sets of 6-1 and 4-6 and 6-2.

Yesterday, we wondered how the young 19-year-old racquet would react to the challenge that awaited her. Not only did she play in the largest tennis stadium in the world (the Arthur Ashe), in front of a local favorite and, in addition, late in the evening (his match began around 22:45).

From the first moments of the duel, she did not seem intimidated.

After winning his serve on the first game of the match, Andreescu has not let his rival impose his unorthodox style that is to go to the net to excess. With powerful and precise returns, she managed to break the service of his opponent to give himself a 2-0 lead.

The pace was set and the crowd much quieter than expected. It must be said that not only did the Canadian did not give Townsend fans much time to rejoice, but, in addition, many fans had deserted Arthur Ashe at the end of the meeting between Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic.

In confidence, the Canadian has never really looked behind in the first run, in addition to one time she was broken, winning 6-1.

REVERSE SCENARIO

After all that she has gone through, in her career as well as since the beginning of the tournament, Townsend should not be expected to give up, however.

The roles appeared to have been reversed when hostilities resumed in the second run. The American won her first two games in the service, breaking through Andreescu, to give herself a comfortable lead of 3-0. The Canadian has recovered well, winning the next three games, but Townsend still won the round 6-4.

This American win obviously motivated the crowd even more. A crowd that at times has even tried to distract the Canadian by shouting "Let's go Taylor!" Or "Double fault! When she was on duty.

But Sylvain Bruneau's protege did not let herself be intimidated. Still calm, she played her cards well to finish the round and, incidentally, the match after 1 h 55 min of work. All at 12:40.

"It was not easy, but I did hear some Canadian fans in the stands, which was good, especially at times that were more difficult. But it was not obvious. I tried not to worry too much about it, but it's difficult when everyone shouts against you. I'm still proud of the way I handled that, "said the Canadian after her match.

But it's not just the crowd that made it hard for the 15^e world player. Townsend, as expected, was able to unbalance Andreescu a few times with his style of play.

"She gives you no rhythm, never. She hits a ball flat, then a ball effect and a brushed ball and finally, she goes to the net. In those moments, I just tried to keep up the pace with her and made sure to put some pressure on her from the start with my service or my feedback. I think I managed to do it well. "

FACING MERTENS

Andreescu will have an appointment with Belgium's Elise Mertens in the quarter-finals tomorrow. The 23-year-old is currently experiencing the US International Dream. In four games so far at Flushing Meadows, she has lost only 16 games in total!

She first defeated Jil Techmann 6-2, 6-2 in the first round, before showing Kristyna Pliskova the exit, also 6-2-6-2 in the next round. She then missed out on Andrea Petkovic (6-3, 6-3) and Kristie Ahn (6-1, 6-1) on lap 3 and 4.

"She takes the ball quickly, from what I've seen, and she's putting pressure right from the start of the point. She is an aggressive player and I know she has good service too. She fights for each point. I'll just have to go out into the field and do what I do best, "she added.