Bianca Andreescu stuns Kerber to make Indian Wells history

Angelique Kerber became the latest big-name act to fall to defeat against Bianca Andreescu as the teenager became the first wildcard to win the Indian Wells title.

Worth a smile: Bianca Andreescu poses with the trophy after her Indian Wells final triumph over Angelique Kerber.

Teenage wildcard Bianca Andreescu capped a dream run at the Indian Wells Open with a stunning triumph over Angelique Kerber in the final. 

The Canadian produced a superb display to defeat the former world number one in three sets, claiming a 6-4 3-6 6-4 success on Sunday.

Kerber became Andreescu's latest high-profile casualty, the 18-year-old having already accounted for the likes of Garbine Muguruza and Elina Svitolina. The three-time grand slam champion was denied a first WTA Premier Mandatory crown in a contest that will live long in the memory.

Andreescu had given up three championship points when serving for the match, but she overcame that blow to break Kerber in the next game and seal a remarkable win - the first by a wildcard in this event.

The joy. The celebration. An unforgettable week. @Bandreescu_#BNPPO19

pic.twitter.com/3t3FQLuB8C

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2019

 

If the youngster was feeling any nerves, she showed no sign of it in the opening game as she broke Kerber's serve, the German guilty of two double faults.

The variety in Andreescu's shots kept Kerber guessing and the underdog was initially dominant on serve, sealing the first set in 41 minutes.

Kerber was visibly irritated during the break between sets and was forced into a gutsy hold in game three of the second before finally earning a break of her own.

It signalled a turning point in the contest as Kerber's class started to tell and Andreescu's accuracy began to falter, the former levelling it up at one set apiece.

Andreescu had a medical timeout at 2-1 up in the decider, with her right shoulder already heavily strapped, but she got no sympathy from her opponent, who held and then broke.

How's @Bandreescu_ going to celebrate her first @WTA title?

The #BNPPO19 women's singles champion sits down to talk about her crazy two weeks in #TennisParadise. pic.twitter.com/fqeMtiuOuQ

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2019

 

Incredibly, Andreescu hit straight back with a break that included a stunning drop shot and then a love service game, in which the highlight was a rasping forehand at full stretch.

That was the catalyst for another shift in momentum as Andreescu somehow summoned the energy to match her rival, and indeed outdo her.

It took her to the brink of glory but Andreescu saw a trio of match points slip away as she was broken at the pivotal moment.

However, she showed commendable mental toughness to shrug that off and wrap up the victory in the next game.