"I like big stages, I thrive on it" - Bianca Andreescu on her impeccable record at the Miami Open
Following her opening-round win over Emma Raducanu, Bianca Andreescu continued her impressive run at the 2023 Miami Open with a victory over seventh seed Maria Sakkari in the second round.
After losing the first set 5-7, the Canadian mounted an incredible comeback to beat Sakkari 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday. The win meant Andreescu is yet to lose a completed match in her career at the Miami Open (two previous appearances).
The 22-year-old reached the fourth round in 2019 and the final in 2021 -- retiring midway against former World No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in the former and against three-time Grand Slam champion Ashleigh Barty in the latter.
Speaking at her press conference after her second-round win, Andreescu remarked that she has always liked playing on the big stage and attributed her success in Miami to it.
The former US Open champion also pointed out that the conditions on site helped her a little, as the lack of wind due to the large size of the stadium and the lack of sun helped her more than most players.
"I like big stages. I guess that's what it is, honestly. Just being on the big stage. I like it. I thrive on it. Well, I try to," Bianca Andreescu said. "I kind of like that it's closed because the wind isn't really in the way, and I like that there's no sun. Towards, well, around 1 o'clock the sun kind of just goes away. Yeah, that's kind of it."
Despite back-to-back big wins, Bianca Andreescu believes she is currently playing at only 75-80% of what she is really capable of and feels there's a lot to improve on in her game.
"For me I feel like there's always room for improvement even if I'm feeling like I'm at 100%, but I know I'm never at 100% because there's so much that I know I can learn, getting to know my body as well through the years, and just kind of keeping momentum," Andreescu said.
"I think it's super important, and I feel like I'm starting to get that now a little bit. So with all of that, I feel like I'm at, I would say, 75%, 80% of what I know I'm capable of," she added.
"I'm feeling really good on the court, I'm trying to be as fearless as I can be" - Bianca Andreescu
Bianca Andreescu further declared that she has been feeling "really good" on the court this week in Miami. She added that her renewed self-confidence has made her play as fearlessly as possible.
"I think it's just another step in gaining most of my confidence back. I'm feeling really good on the court. I'm trying to be as fearless as I can be," Bianca Andreescu said. "It's not always easy, but I feel like I'm getting there, and wins like this obviously help with that because at this point I think it's just me getting matches in and playing tough rounds like this and knowing I can win."
Following her win over Maria Sakkari, Andreescu will take on former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the third round of the Miami Open.