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.”
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…