Typically low-key affairs, viewing parties were anything but Saturday after Mississauga tennis star Bianca Andreescu fended off a late rally from Serena Williams at the U.S. Open to win Canada’s first ever Grand Slam singles title.“This is historic,” said a fan at the Ontario Racquet Club in Mississauga, one of several area venues that hosted events for the final including a viewing party by Tennis Canada and gatherings held by Romanian-Canadian organizations (Andreescu’s parents are Romanian). Rapt tennis fans in centres from Edmonton to Montreal gathered to watch Andreescu eclipse Carling Bassett-Seguso’s 1984 U.S. Open semifinal appearance.Messages of support came from Canadian luminaries including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who tweeted that she had made “a whole country very proud.” Andreescu’s ability to overcome injury and rise quickly impressed most who watched her hold off a Williams comeback attempt in the second set to win the match 6-3, 7-5.With the win, which earned Andreescu a $3.85 million (U.S.) prize, she’ll be No. 5 when the Women’s Tennis Association rankings are published Monday. She began the 2019 season ranked 178th in the world.“She’s a people’s favourite,” said Paul Morrell, chief operating officer of the 5,500-member Ontario Racquet Club, which has hosted under-18 national championships featuring many of Canada’s promising young players.“I think people are gravitating to her for her attitude. She seems to be sincere, a little unfiltered.” he said. Morrell has seen an immediate uptick in interest in the club during Andreescu’s run. “I know a lot of our junior players look up to her.”Read more:DiManno: Bianca Andreescu beats the best to become the first Canadian Grand Slam championHe noted a rise in interest in the sport in general with the success of several young Canadian players including Denis Shapovalov, who fell ...
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