Bencic Sets Up Final Against Swiatek With Epic Win Over Gauff
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published February 26, 2021 | 04:50 PM
Adelaide, Australia, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2021 ) :Second seed Belinda Bencic battled for almost three hours before seeing off 16-year-old American Coco Gauff in three sets Friday to reach the final of the Adelaide International.
Bencic set up a final showdown against Poland's French Open champion Iga Swiatek with her 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 win.
Fifth seeded Swiatek had a much easier passage to the final, beating Swiss player Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-2.
Bencic went into the semi-final against Gauff as favourite, but the young American has been in good form this week, winning through two rounds of qualifying just to make the main draw.
And the teenaged Gauff got away to a superb start, breaking Bencic's opening service game and racing away to a 3-0 and 4-1 lead.
But the former world number four began to find her range and reeled the young American in, breaking back and getting the set back on terms.
The opening set went to a tiebreak and Bencic had all the momentum, winning it comfortably and wrapping up the first set in 58 minutes.
Bencic took that momentum into the second set, breaking Gauff early while holding her own serve easily.
But serving for the match at 5-3, Bencic stumbled and Gauff pounced, breaking back to get the set back on serve and taking it to a tiebreak, holding on to level the match at one set apiece.
But the third set was all Bencic as she took advantage of her fatigued opponent to race away with the match and reach her 11th WTA final.
"I'm super relieved -- I tried to fight the best that I can," she said.
"She really gave me a hard time. At times I didn't know what to do but I'm really happy to win and get through to the final." Earlier, Swiatek had too much power for her Swiss opponent, winning 6-3, 6-2 in 81 minutes to reach the third final of her career.
Swiatek, the tournament's fifth seed, said she felt comfortable on the Adelaide courts.
"I feel perfect on court," she said. "I feel really solid and that's the most important thing for me because I enjoy everything.
"I hope tomorrow I also play well." Swiatek burst onto the scene last year when she won at Roland Garros, beating then-world number six Sofia Kenin in the final.
She entered the Adelaide International ranked a career-high 18th in the world, but will rise to 16 as a result of making the final, and could reach 15 if she wins against Bencic.
Swiatek always looked the more likely against Teichmann, who appeared fatigued at times after a three-hour marathon quarter-final win on Thursday.
She broke Teichmann once in the first set and twice in the second to notch up an impressive win.
Recent Stories
Sharjah Animation Conference explores cross-cultural collaboration opportunities ..
Sharjah Public Library provides countless opportunities for young imaginations t ..
Sharjah Police launches 'Your belongings, your responsibility' awareness campaig ..
Dubai Police displays Innovative Tourism Security Services at 'ATM 2024'
Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal not part of national squad for Ireland, England: Bab ..
Erdogan opens former church to Muslim worshippers
Cultural events hallmark of a nation, Director RAC
Iraq hangs 11 convicted of 'terrorism': security, health sources
Stocks rise on renewed hopes of rate cuts
PM assures all-out support to Saudi investment
S.Africa building collapse traps 48 workers: city hall
Nilofar lauds efforts for development of national document aimed promoting balan ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
2 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
2 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
2 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
2 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
4 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
5 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
6 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
8 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
9 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
9 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
9 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
11 days ago