Bianca Andreescu reached her first final in over a year after Simona Halep pulled out ahead of their semi-final match at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany on Friday with a neck injury.
“I’m sorry I had to withdraw today before my semi-final match,” Halep wrote on Instagram. “But unfortunately I woke up this morning with a blocked neck and that’s not allowing me to perform at my best.”
Andreescu, 22, beat top seed Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
The Canadian’s last title victory was her blowout victory at the US Open in 2019, when she beat Serena Williams. Her last final was against Ash Barty in Miami in April 2021, when she retired with an ankle injury.
WATCH | Andreescu knocks out top seed Kasatkina in Germany:
Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., beat seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia 6-4, 6-1 to reach the semifinals of the Bad Homburg Open in Germany.
Andreescu, who has taken time off to recharge and work on his mental health, missed the Australian Open before returning to the tour in April.
While the Canadian was able to rest and prepare for the final, Garcia had to spend almost three hours on the court to beat fellow Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 7-6(9), 3-6, 7-5.
Garcia saved match point at 5-4 in the deciding set before winning the next three games as Cornet struggled with an apparent right leg injury that limited his movement.
Andreescu and Garcia have never met before.
WATCH | Canadian tennis star Andreescu answers the kids’ questions:
Canadian tennis champion Bianca Andreescu answers questions and shares some advice for young athletes at the Ontario Racquet Club in Mississauga.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”