Canadian Bianca Andreescu advances to final at Saguenay Challenger

SAGUENAY, Que. – Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu is a victory away from claiming the Saguenay National Bank Challenger.

The 16-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., beat second-seeded American Jennifer Brady 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5) on Saturday in the tournament semifinals despite not breaking her opponent’s serve once.

The match was a long one, going over two hours 30 minutes.

“During the match I just tried to fight until the end even though I don’t think I played my best tennis and I am very happy to be in the final,” Andreescu said.

The junior world No. 7 will be looking to win her second pro title after being crowned champion of the Gatineau National Bank Challenger this summer when she faces American Catherine Bellis in Sunday’s final.

Andreescu will be in tough against Bellis — the tournament’s top seed.

The 17-year-old Bellis benefited from a walkover in her semifinal match after American Sachia Vickery was forced to withdraw due to illness.

“I am really looking forward to playing (Bellis), we’re the same age and play a similar style, so it will be fun to see who wins,” said Andreescu.

Andreescu also played in the doubles final alongside Charlotte Robillard-Millette of Blainville, Que. The Canadian pair were defeated 6-4, 6-7(4), 10-6 by the Romanian duo of Elena Bogdan and Mihaela Buzarnescu.