Semi-final advance in Adelaide
Bencic wrestles world No. 4 down
Belinda Bencic is in form just before the Australian Open. In Adelaide, thanks to a strong performance, she is in the semi-finals.
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Next strong performance by Belinda Bencic.
Belinda Bencic is in the semifinals of the WTA 500 tournament in Adelaide. The eastern Swiss wins against world number 4 Caroline Garcia from France 6: 2, 3: 6, 6: 4.
Now the Olympic champion is aiming for the 16th final on the WTA tour against the Russian Veronika Kudermetowa, number 9 in the world rankings.
In the third set, Bencic used the first match ball for a decisive service breakthrough after giving up an initial break lead. The Swiss also convinces at her third appearance in Adelaide.
In only the second duel after winning Wimbledon in 2018 against the 29-year-old French, she initially served excellently. The 25-year-old wins the first set in 33 minutes thanks to a 75 percent success rate on serve. After that, the semi-finalist of last year’s US Open also comes into play. But the eastern Swiss player stays cool and uses her opponent’s two weaker service games to break two.
Bencic now meets the Russian Veronika Kudermetowa. The Swiss won five of the nine duels, including last summer at the lawn tournament in Berlin. The 25-year-old Kudermetowa, who defeated Jil Teichmann in the round of 16, has only won a WTA tournament once, but has been in the top ten since the end of October. (SDA)