Ratings officer Yulia Putintseva said she felt «a little more confidence» after winning «a first physical set» against Bianca Andreescu and her goal was to attack the Canadian at the start of the second set. On Tuesday, Putintseva defeated 2019 US Open champion Andreescu 7-6(2) 6-2 in the first round in Abu Dhabi.
After winning a very tight first set, Putintseva won the much easier second set to complete a two set victory over Andreescu. «I think the first set was very physical, we played very, very hard rallies. I was feeling a little more confident in the second set and said, ‘You have to push now’, and it worked.» good,» Putintseva said after beating Andreescu, according to the WTA website.
How Putintseva beat Andreescu
Putintseva did not have a good start to the match as she lost serve in the first game. After the first three games, Andreescu had a 2-1 lead and was serving. Then the next five games saw five consecutive breaks as Putintseva and Andreescu were tied at four games apiece after the first eight games.
After five consecutive games with serve breaks, Putintseva and Andreescu held their serves in the next four games with the first goal having to be resolved in a tiebreaker. The first set was very close until the tie-break, where Putintseva opened up a very comfortable 6-0 lead.
Andreescu managed to save the first two set points but couldn’t save the third as Putintseva sealed the opener. After winning a tight first set, Putintseva began the second set with consecutive breaks and a 4-0 lead. Up by a set and a double break, Putintseva held on to her serve for the rest of the match to complete a straight-set victory.
In her next match, Putintseva will play Beatriz Haddad Maia. «I have to stay low and be ready for a tough battle», Putintseva said about facing Haddad Maia.
