Tennis-Defending champ Andreescu holds off Riske in Indian Wells return

Oct 9, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Garbine Muguruza (ESP) hits a shot against Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) -Defending women's champion Bianca Andreescu earned a hard-fought 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 win over American Alison Riske on her return to the Indian Wells tournament on Saturday.

Andreescu, who was back at the Southern California event for the first time since her 2019 title win, was pushed to the limit by the unseeded Riske before the Canadian won the first set tiebreak.