Despite all her current shortcomings, Belinda Bencic took the right direction in Melbourne. The St. Welshwoman is heading towards the second round at the Australian Open.
She won 6-3 7-6 (8/6) in front of the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (no. 16) at the end of a meeting full of twists and turns. After wasting…five match points at 6-3 5-4 on her serve, Belinda Bencic had to put aside two equalizing points at a set everywhere when she was trailing 6/4 in the deciding game. However, she had to win the next four points to finally pick up the victory, her first Grand Slam in a year and a half.
It is never easy to find the right rhythm against the 2017 Roland-Garros Champion. Capable of the best or the worst, Jelena Ostapenko can really turn the tide of a match at any time. Belinda Bencic tried to make the Latvian play one too many shots to take control in this meeting. It was the right recipe.
On Wednesday, Belinda Bencic will face the Dutch Sutan Lamens (WTA 77), victorious last year at the Osaka tournament after coming out of qualifying. She will have to raise the cursor when serving – she committed 8 double faults during this first round – to avoid any unpleasant surprises against this opponent whom she will face for the first time.
-/ATS
Swiss
