Canada’s Andreescu downs Babos to advance to second round at ASB Classic

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Canada’s Bianca Andreescu has advanced to the second round of the WTA’s season-opening ASB Classic.

Andreescu, 18, downed Timea Babos of Hungary 6-4, 7-6 (8) in a first-round match Tuesday.

The qualifier from Mississauga, Ont., dispatched Babos in one hour and 46.45 minutes, firing seven aces along the way.

She will take on the winner of former world No 1. Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Laura Siegemund of Germany, who she defeated 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final round of qualifying.

Andreescu joins fellow Canadian and former world No. 5 Eugenie Bouchard in the second round. Bouchard kicked off her season with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win over American Madison Brengle on Monday.

She is slated to face qualifier Bibiane Schoofs in the second round.