'Shattered for you': Ash Barty's incredible act for devastated rival

Lost amid Ash Barty's remarkable triumph at the Miami Open on Saturday was her incredible act of class for her shattered opponent.

Barty reminded everyone why she's the best in the world with a brilliant victory over Bianca Andreescu to lift the Miami Open title in her first tournament outside Australia for over a year.

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A devastated Andreescu had to retire with an ankle injury when 6-3 4-0 down in Saturday's final - but Barty was already dismantling her outclassed opponent before the sad conclusion.

Barty, who spent last year out of competitive action back home during the pandemic, demonstrated her readiness for global tennis domination again with a superb all-court display to outplay the 2019 US Open champion.

Barty was on the way to what seemed an inevitable victory when Andreescu took a tumble, turning her right ankle when 2-0 down in the second set and having to call for the trainer at the end of the game when three-down.

She tried gamely to carry on with ankle strapped, but five points later the 20-year-old slumped to her haunches, broke down in tears and trudged to the net to concede after just 59 one-sided minutes.

Barty consoled Andreescu at the net and paid tribute to her friend in her victory speech.

"Bianca, I'm shattered for you mate," the Aussie said.

"I hope you recover well and this doesn't hinder your season too much.

"I'm sure we'll have many more good and hopefully healthy matches in the future."

Andreeacu won't let injuries define her career

Andreescu is frustrated with continued setbacks since returning to court at the Australian Open after 15 months due to a knee problem, but the 20-year-old is not willing to let injuries define her fledgling career.

A month after winning her maiden grand slam at the 2019 US Open, the Canadian suffered a torn meniscus in her left knee and returned to action only in Melbourne in February.

She exited the year's first grand slam in the second round before withdrawing from tournaments in Adelaide, Doha and Dubai with a leg issue.

"It seems that I'm kind of the only one that keeps getting asked questions about injuries, which is super annoying," the former World No.4 told reporters.

"I don't want for me to have a reputation of that, because it's not only me that's getting injured.

"But, yeah, I mean, it's happened quite a bit, but I don't want to define myself through those. It sucks.

"Even if it's something small, sometimes I'll be extra cautious, but I'd rather be that than push through it and get it worse, because I have been through both, and today I'm glad that I stopped.

"It's hard for me to say that, but I'm glad that I stopped."

Andreescu battled through four three-setters in a row to reach the final at the WTA 1000 event in Miami and the Canadian was confident of a good show for the rest of the season.

"My body seemed to be good up until today," said Andreescu, who will climb up three spots to No.6 in the rankings on Monday.

"No one wants to end a tournament retiring, especially in the finals. But things happen, and I want to look ahead in my career. I'm only 20."

with agencies

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