Bianca Andreescu, her obstacle course, 5 years of hardship since the 2019 US Open

Bianca Andreescu's qualification for the final of the 'S-Hertogenbosch tournament this Saturday means much more than a classic qualification for a final. It's a long way from the time when she presented herself as the potential future boss of women's tennis.

Titled at the US Open in September 2019 (beating Serena Williams in the final) at just 19, on the heels of her WTA 1000 title in Toronto and 6 months after her title in Indian Wells. No. 4 in the world (the highest ranking in history for a Canadian) the following month, she seemed destined for the brightest future.

But, as happened to Emma Raducanu two years later, the native of Mississauga (Ontario) was never able to confirm her success, her superb momentum being halted by a series of injuries. A veritable obstacle course that has left her with almost no respite since.

A knee injury at the end of 2019 ruled her out of the entire 2020 season and the start of 2021. However, she was soon back to her best, reaching the final of the WTA 1000 in Miami in only her 3rd tournament back. During this final, she twisted her ankle and was forced to retire. Returning two months later, the rest of her season never quite lived up to her own expectations, although she did reach the last 16 at the US Open.

At the end of 2021, the injury this time was mental. Worn out by pressure and repeated disappointments since her US Open title in 2019, Andreescu no longer really knew where she stood or what she really wanted. The question of quitting professional tennis seriously arose, and she then decided, in agreement with her entourage, to take several months' rest away from the WTA Tour.

When she returned in April 2022, the Canadian was no longer at the level of potential Grand Slam winner that she once was. She did reach the final on Bad Homburg grass (beaten by Caroline Garcia 6-7, 6-4, 6-4), helped by Simona Halep's withdrawal in the semi-finals. But she never reached the quarter-finals again this year.

In 2023, she was finally able to start a season under normal conditions. She got off to a slow start, but was back to her best in Miami in March. After victories over Emma Raducanu, Maria Sakkari and Sofia Kenin, it was yet another injury that stopped her in the Round of 16. Twisted left ankle, one month off. After the recovery, things didn't go so well and she was once again stopped by the limits of her body at the beginning of August. This time, it was her back that gave way.

After 10 months of treatment, rehabilitation and reathletization, which kept her away from the WTA Tour for the first part of the 2024 season, Andreescu returned to competition at the French Open at the end of May. She made it through two rounds, an encouraging result, before turning to grass. And here she is in the final at 'S-Hertogenbosh in her second tournament back, after a fine victory over Naomi Osaka (6-4, 3-6, 7-6) in the quarter-finals.

So yes, the final she'll play this Sunday is much more than just a WTA 250 final: it's the reward for so much effort and perseverance. Andreescu will face Ekaterina Alexandrova or Liudmila Samsonova in her bid for her first WTA Tour title since the 2019 US Open. A symbolic title which would have an even more special flavour as she would win it on her 24th birthday.

Bianca Andreescu: "It means so much to me. Because I don't think I've had the easiest career after 2019, with all the injuries and everything. So all the hard work I put in paid off, I never gave up. And... that really means a lot to me."