Andreescu suffers injury blow at Miami Open

MIAMI GARDENS: Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu's return to form was cut brutally short on Monday when the Canadian suffered a left ankle injury in her fourth-round Miami Open match against Ekaterina Alexandrova.

While attempting a return, Andreescu injured the ankle, collapsing to the court as she yelled in pain.

After receiving medical attention on the court she was lifted into a wheelchair and taken off the court in tears.

While receiving treatment Andreescu yelled: "I've never felt this much pain."

Andreescu was hugged by her Russian opponent before she was taken off the court, the WTA later confirming a left ankle injury.

In 2021, she retired from the final in Miami after suffering a right ankle injury against Ashleigh Barty

The 22-year-old, who won the US Open in 2019 but then missed all of 2020 due to injury, returned to the circuit last April after a six-month break.

In Miami, she has looked very much back to her best with wins over Emma Raducanu, Maria Sakkari and Sofia Kenin.

The fourth-round match had been subject to a lengthy rain delay but the court did not appear to be wet or to be a factor in the injury.