Mississauga’s Andreescu prepares for tough match against top American

Bianca Andreescu has her work cut out for her today (Oct. 20) as she prepares for her next tennis match at the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open in Mexico.

The Mississauga tennis star, who has battled inconsistency all year long as she tries to work her way back into the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) upper rankings, will take on American Jessica Pegula (WTA No. 5) in a match scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m.

The winner of the round of 16 match will advance to the quarter-final round of the tournament.

Pegula, 28, is the No. 3 seed in the tournament and the top-ranked American in WTA circles.

Andreescu, 22, WTA No. 59, has impressed so far this week in Mexico, knocking off two higher-ranked opponents en route to the round of 16.

On Tuesday, she overcame an opening-set defeat to win the next two sets in ousting Czech Petra Kvitova (WTA No. 21 and No. 16 seed in the tournament) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

In first-round action on Monday, Andreescu bested WTA No. 36 Jil Teichman (Switzerland) 6-2, 6-4 to advance to Tuesday’s match.

Andreescu fell two rungs on the WTA ladder (No. 57 to No. 59 currently) after being ousted in the round of 16 last week at the San Diego Open.

She remains in search of a tournament victory as she seeks to return to the top of the women’s singles rankings.