Tennis

Andreescu downs Britain's Harriet Dart in Thailand Open 1st round

Bianca Andreescu traces the path that brought her back to the tennis tour after a mental health break — and, on Monday, put her back in the win column, thanks to beating a seeded opponent at the Australian Open.

Fresh off 2nd-round loss at Aussie Open, Canadian next faces Russia's Zakharova

Female tennis player, sporting a Nike visor, plays a forehand return.
Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., won 56 per cent of service points and 56.1 per cent of return points in a 6-3, 6-4 first-round victory on Tuesday at the Thailand Open. The top seed faces Russia's Anastasia Zakharova on Wednesday. (Ng Han Guan/The Associated Press)

Top seed Bianca Andreescu is off to a winning start at the Thailand Open tennis tournament after posting a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Britain's Harriet Dart on Tuesday in Hua Hin.

Andreescu, from Mississauga, Ont., was consistent on either side of the court, winning 56 per cent of service points and 56.1 per cent of return points.

She had two aces to Dart's none and committed just one double-fault to Dart's five.

Both players struggled when facing break point. Andreescu defended just one of the four break points she faced but converted six of her eight break chances.

WATCH | Canada's Andreescu through to Thailand Open R16 in straight sets:

Top seed Bianca Andreescu darts into Thailand Open round of 16

2 years ago
Duration 1:04
Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., defeated Britain's Harriet Dart 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16 at the Thailand Open.

Andreescu improved her career record against Dart to 3-1.

The Canadian faces Russia's Anastasia Zakharova on Wednesday in a second-round match.

Andreescu entered the tournament as the 42nd-ranked player on the WTA Tour.

She advanced to the second round of the Australian Open earlier this month, beating 25th seed Marie Bouzkova in the first round before falling to world No. 86 Cristina Bucsa.

Also Tuesday, in first-round action at the Copa Oster in Cali, Colombia, seventh seed Carol Zhao of Toronto was defeated 6-4, 6-3 by Colombia's Emiliana Arango.

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