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Reuters

Bianca Andreescu pictured herself as Indian Wells champion so many times during the tournament that actually winning it should have come as no great surprise but the Canadian wildcard was still stunned by Sunday’s victory over Angelique Kerber.
The 18-year-old, who relies heavily on meditation and visualisation techniques to get her mental game in shape, had to dig deep against three-time grand slam champion Kerber and found another gear late on to claim the 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win.
She said she had visualised winning the tournament prior to the match, where the unseeded wildcard won her first career WTA title despite playing with an injured right shoulder and cramp.
“I did (visualise the victory). Not only this morning but so many times,” she told reporters.
“It’s crazy to think that it became a reality today.”


She said the key to the match came during a visit with her coach when she was trailing 3-2 in the third set.
“After I spoke to my coach I just left it all out there,” she said.

“At that point I was really tired, so I went for my shots more, and that obviously worked. The next couple of games I did the same thing.
“And I just fought till the end, because physically I wasn’t feeling too well.”


Not being 100 per cent fit is nothing new for Andreescu.
She missed six months in 2016 with stress fractures in her foot and was sidelined last year with back problems.
“A year ago, during this period, I had been struggling a lot with my tennis and with my body too. So it’s crazy what a year can do,” she added.

She said she tries to stay positive when dealing with injury setbacks like the foot fractures, which required her to practice hitting on the court while wheeling around in an office chair.
Those sessions helped her develop her drop shot, which she used to great effect in Sunday’s final.
“I don’t necessarily think that being injured is a bad thing,” she said.

“I try to take it in a positive way and just find different things about me that might work later on.”
She said she hoped the Indian Wells title would do for her what it did for Naomi Osaka last year. The 21-year-old Japanese followed up her win in the desert with titles at the US and Australian Opens to achieve the world number one ranking.
But for now, she said she was happy to simply stay in the moment.
Indian Wells: Dominic Thiem tops Roger Federer to claim his first Masters 1000 title
“It’s definitely inspiration seeing her claim the trophy last year and winning two grand slams right after,” she said.
“But I don’t really want to focus on the future right now. I just want to enjoy this moment, because I don’t want to take anything for granted.
“You never know what next week brings.”


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WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Indian Wells: Bianca Andreescu a champion in her mind and on the court after overcoming Angelique Kerber

Bianca Andreescu made the breakthrough in California. Photo: AFP

Mar 17, 2019; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Bianca Andreescu (CAN) hits a shot as she defeated Angelique Kerber (not pictured) in the final match of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 17, 2019; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Angelique Kerber (GER) hits a shot during her final match against Bianca Andreescu (not pictured) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

epa07446077 Bianca Andreescu of Canada in action against Angelique Kerber of Germany during the Finals at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, USA, 17 March 2019. EPA-EFE/JOHN G MABANGLO

Indian Wells: Dominic Thiem tops Roger Federer to claim his first Masters 1000 title

Dominic Thiem of Austria celebrates after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final at Indian Wells. Photo: AFP

INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 17: Dominic Thiem of Austria holds the championship trophy after his men's singles final victory against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day fourteen of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardenon March 17, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 17: Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Dominic Thiem of Austria during their men's singles final on day fourteen of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 17, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Indian Wells: Venus Williams fights past Petra Kvitova, Naomi Osaka prepares to take stage

Venus Williams edged past Petra Kvitova at Indian Wells. Photo: AFP

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 09: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic shows her emotion during her three set defeat against Venus Williams of the United States during their women's singles second round match on day six of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 08: Naomi Osaka of Japan throws a football as she warms on a practice court during day five of BNP Paribas Open on March 8, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 09: Venus Williams of the United States plays a forehand against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during their women's singles second round match on day six of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Sport

Tennis

Indian Wells champions says she visualised her win ahead of the final


Indian Wells: Bianca Andreescu a champion in her mind and on the court after overcoming Angelique Kerber

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Indian Wells champions says she visualised her win ahead of the final

Indian Wells champions says she visualised her win ahead of the final