Bencic Upsets Venus in Aussie Opener

January 15, 2018 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Belinda Bencic (2)

 

The resurgence of Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic continued on the opening day of the Australian Open, as she defeated last year’s runner-up Venus Williams 6-3, 7-5 in the tournament’s first round.

Bencic is currently ranked 78th in the world after injuries really slowed down the former top 10 player in 2017. She shook off four previous losses against Venus to advance in straight sets this time around.

“I was thinking a lot about the last matches. For the first matches, I think I had a little too much respect, played a little bit careful and safe,” said Bencic. “This time I really tried to come out and, you know, hit it big. Also tactically be smart on the court. It’s really tough to play her. You really have to be on the limit of your game. You have to come out with everything you have. I tried to do that today.”

Bencic broke for a 4-3 in the opening set to strike first. After a rain delay, Bencic would hold serve and proceed to break once again to take the first set.  Breaks of serve were the theme of the second set, and it was Bencic who secured the last break to close out the victory.

“I think she played well. I don’t think I played a bad match. She just played above and beyond. I just have to give her credit for that,” said Venus. “I didn’t play so bad, I was missing every shot. It just didn’t work out.”

Bencic moves on to play Luksika Kumkhum, who beat Johanna Larsson 6-3, 7-5.

Venus’ loss was symbolic of the struggles for the American women on the opening day of 2018’s first Grand Slam. Sloane Stephens’ post-U.S. Open slump continued with a three-set defeat to Shuai Zhang of China. Zhang came back from a set down to beat the U.S. Open champion 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the Australian Open first round.

Zhang moves on to play Czech Republic’s Denisa Allertova, who won 6-3, 6-0 over Paulina Parmentier.

Nicole Gibbs was the lone American woman to advance as she notched a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Viktoriya Tomova.

Coco Vandeweghe, Cici Bellis, Alison Riske, Jennifer Brady, Sofia Kenin, Taylor Townsend and Irina Falconi all dropped their opening round matches. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition