Bianca Andreescu Honoured At Home After US Open Title Triumph

Bianca Andreescu, who beat Serena Williams in the US Open final to become Canada's first Grand Slam singles champion, was honoured with a rally in her hometown on Sunday. "I am truly blessed," the beaming 19-year-old told hundreds gathered to celebrate her achievement. I did not get here overnight. There has been a lot of hard work and sweat that went into it, a lot of downs, a lot of ups." Bonnie Crombie, the mayor of Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto, presented Andreescu with a key to the city. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in the midst of campaigning for second term, was also on hand. "She is an inspiration to all Canadians old and young, but to be honest, especially an inspiration to young Canadians because she showed that young people can do anything," Trudeau said.

Andreescu's stunning 6-3, 7-5 victory at Flushing Meadows denied Williams a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. In the course of a year she has climbed from 200th in the world rankings to a career high fifth. Her rise has been another source of pride for Canadian sports fans, who saw the Toronto Raptors claim the NBA championship in June.

The Raptors' "We the North" slogan has been transformed for Andreescu to "She the North". "I'm really glad I never gave up because I wouldn't be standing here with everyone," Andreescu said. "If I can do it, if Serena can do it, if Roger (Federer) can do it, if the Raptors can do it, so can you."

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Serena lost her second straight US Open final and will have to wait for record-seetting 24th major. It was the Canadian's first time in the main draw at Flushing Meadows. Serena, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, is one short of Margaret Court’s 24 for a share of the all-time lead. Williams’ last Grand Slam title came at the 2017 Australian Open. 

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Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau showed up to the #SheTheNorth rally in Mississauga and thanked US Open champion Bianca Andreescu's parents for choosing to come to Canada 📹 Tennis Canada pic.twitter.com/6Um22YzvCf

— blogTO (@blogTO) September 15, 2019

The 19-year-old Bianca emerged the superior player in terms of quality and grit against the 37-year-old Serena to win gripping battle 6-3 7-5. Bianca broke Serena in the first game of the match. She kept the lead and went on to take the set 6-3. She then broke Serena twice in a row to take a commanding 5-1 game lead in the second set. However, Serena fought back make it 5-5. With momentum with Serena, it seemed Bianca's fairytale was about to end, however, the Canadian pulled it back together.

Bianca is The first Canadian to win a Grand Slam and first player born in the 2000s to have such a title. Bianca was ranked outside of the top 100 at the start of this year. Her win at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells helped her rise to No. 15 in the world. 

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