Bianca Andreescu's attempt to return to the US Open main draw fell short when she lost to Tamara Zidansek 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the final qualifying round. The 2019 US Open champion, from Mississauga, Ontario, had won her first two qualifying matches in straight sets but could not maintain that form against the Slovenian.
How did the match unfold?
Andreescu led 2-0 in the first set before rain interrupted play on Thursday, with the remainder of the match resuming on Friday. She took a medical timeout while trailing 4-3 in the second set, and her movement appeared visibly compromised thereafter, according to the WTA. Zidansek, ranked No. 146, capitalised on Andreescu's reduced mobility to take control of the match and secure her first US Open main draw appearance since 2022.
What was Andreescu's path to the final?
The Canadian defeated Veronika Podrez 6-0, 6-3 in the second qualifying round, breaking her opponent five times on 12 chances. That victory set up the meeting with Zidansek, whom Andreescu had not faced since their memorable 6-7(1), 7-6(2), 9-7 first-round clash at Roland Garros 2021, which Zidansek won in three hours and 20 minutes.
Where does Branstine stand?
Carson Branstine, a 25-year-old dual Canadian-American citizen, advanced to the final qualifying round with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Czechia's Linda Fruhvirtova. She converted all five of her break-point opportunities and hit 22 winners. Branstine will face Robin Montgomery of the United States for one of the remaining main-draw spots.
Andreescu will conclude her season having played only one Grand Slam main draw in 2026, at Wimbledon earlier in the summer, where she lost in the first round.
Sources
- Women's Tennis Association: Zheng, Liutova qualify for US Open; Zidansek stops Andreescu. Published 2026-08-29.
- Sportsnet: Canada's Andreescu, Branstine advance to final round of US Open qualifying. Published 2026-08-27.
- TSN: Andreescu, Draxl fail to reach US Open after losses in final qualifying round. Published 2026-08-29.
Reported from public sources.