Categories: DohaTop StoryWTA

Bencic turns the tables on Azarenka with Doha win

Belinda Bencic finally earned a win over Victoria Azarenka after two previous losses to the Grand Slam champion, with the Swiss producing a 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 fightback into the quarter-finals of the WTA event in Doha on Wednesday.

Weekend Abu Dhabi champion Bencic, the No. 9, duplicated her last-eight showing in the Gulf from 2020 as she improved to 14-2 in a season of two titles.

Bencic turned on her jets trailing a set and 4-1 against two-time Australian Open winner Azarenka, reversing her negative trend and advancing after two and three-quarter hours.

Teenaged fourth seed Coco Gauff made a winning start after a bye, defeating double Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Czech Kvitova was undone by 31 unforced errors, with Gauff holding her count to less than half of that in a win lasting 84 minutes.

“There were points I thought I played well, and she just came up with a good shot,” Gauff said of Kvitova.

“The only thing you can do is clap your hands and keep on moving. I just tried to focus on my end of the court and let her hit her winners and try to be aggressive when I could.

“I honestly didn’t have a lot of chances today. I think I definitely won more points on the defense.”

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago