Straight back to business for Bianca Andreescu, set to play WTA 125 next week after Madrid Open defeat

Bianca Andreescu impressed at the Madrid Open as she knocked off rust to reach the second round being defeated by Elena Rybakina who was exquisite in victory. But the Canadian won't take a week off as she aims to get reps in before Roland Garros.

Andreescu hadn't played since last October and the fact she returned at all was semi a surprise given that she had an emergency appendectomy in February which saw her Australian Open hopes quelled.

But the 24-year-old who famously emerged at the age of 19 to win the US Open and also dominate the US and Canadian hard court summer has faced a lot of challenges so to be back playing at all is a battle in itself.

She has often showed that she still has that 2019 form in her locker but it is usually accompanied by some heartbreak and hardship. Despite losing 6-3, 6-2, she was facing an opponent who is aiming to prove a point herself.

After all of the news stories surrounding her coaching situation with Stefano Vukov banned albeit still seemingly knocking around the setup, Rybakina herself will just want to prove herself on the court.

A low-key return for Andreescu at Rouen saw her defeated early but after months of training the signs were there and she gets another chance to hone her skills before Rome.

As per Stephanie Myles for OpenCourt, Andreescu will play a WTA 125 tournament in Catalonia next week. She remains in Spain and it is a long way back since she played below the main tour. She played Newport Beach back in 2019 before she broke out. She earned a wildcard for Indian Wells and the rest is history.

Albeit as per the same report on OpenCourt, this is also important as Andreescu will have to likely play qualifying for Roland Garros as she has used up her protected ranking Grand Slams quota. So in reality she could yet head to Europe early to play on grass if that doesn't work with the FFT not big on giving wildcards to non French players.

Naomi Osaka also plays below the main draw next week in Saint-Melo as another Grand Slam champion aims for form using a different route and given that Andreescu has shown herself to still be performing at a good enough level, it could be a huge confidence boosting week ahead.