Andreescu eliminated in round of 16 at National Bank Open

TORONTO — Although Bianca Andreescu was eliminated from the National Bank Open, the week as a whole felt like a win.

Back pain had made it doubtful that Andreescu, from nearby Mississauga, Ont., would be able to play in the only Canadian stop on the WTA Tour's schedule, but nearly a week of rest before her first match gave her enough time to recover. The 22-year-old Andreescu played three lengthy matches in Toronto, reaching the Round of 16 where she fell to China's Zheng Qinwen 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, on Thursday.

"I'm just super happy that I was able to play this tournament, first of all," said Andreescu, who was visibly in pain during a first-round loss in San Jose on Aug. 2. "I had no expectations going in.

"All I wanted to do was enjoy myself as much as I could, have fun, get the crowd going and just give my all. And I think I did that."

Andreescu was the last Canadian playing in either the women's singles or doubles tournament. Felix Auger-Aliassime is the only Canadian left on the men's side in his hometown of Montreal.

The Sobeys Stadium crowd was very much behind Andreescu throughout the match, including Toronto Blue Jays infielders Santiago Espinal and Bo Bichette as well as Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse.

"Oh, now I really wish I would have won. Damn it," said Andreescu, putting her head into her hands when she learned De Grasse and the Blue Jays were in the stands.

"To hear that makes me so proud to be Canadian. To have that Canadian support from, not only tennis athletes, but other athletes, it means a lot. Truly."

Zheng will play Karolína Plíšková of the Czech Republic on Friday in the WTA tournament's quarterfinal.

Andreescu made the most of her home court advantage, egging the crowd on after critical points in