Teenage Andreescu enjoys dream run in Washington

A lot of talk has been made about the rise of Canada as a full-fledged force on the pro tour. There has been Wimbledon finalists Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard, as well as doubles Grand Slam champions Vasek Pospisil and Gabriela Dabrowski. The younger generation is not to be left out though, as Bianca Andreescu is proving this week.

The 17-year-old got a wildcard into the main draw of Washington and made the best of it, taking out Camila Giorgi in three sets for her first-ever WTA win, before sweeping past No. 2-seeded Kristina Mladenovic, 6-2, 6-3.

It has been a week of firsts:

The Toronto native credits the older Canadians for inspiration.

"A lot of Canadians give me motivation like Genie, Milos, Dabrowsi," she told Baseline. "Dabrowski just won a Grand Slam, so that's amazing. She's doing really well. I think we give each other motivation, it really helps for all the younger, upcoming players. It gives them a lot of motivation and hope to play at a high level."

Andreescu was ranked as high as No. 3 in the world in juniors last year, but wants to make it big on the pro tour. She never even considered the college tennis route.

"This was my dream since I was young," she said. "I'm trying to play more on the WTA tour, so it's kind of a dream come true."

The dream is just starting. The world No. 167 faces Andrea Petkovic in the quarterfinals of D.C., and has a wildcard into the Rogers Cup main draw next week in Toronto.