By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, January 13, 2025
Picture credit score: John Buckle/Rolex
Dealing with a well-recognized face, Belinda Bencic withstood pleasant hearth to attain her first main win as a mother.
The 2020 Olympic gold-medal champion Bencic beat 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 7-6(6) to achieve the Australian Open second spherical 9 years after her fourth spherical run in Melbourne Park.
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Afterward, Bencic stated going through the big-hitting Ostapenko is sort of a tennis model of Russian roulette: each shot will be deadly.
“I believe it is difficult to play her. Generally it looks like somewhat little bit of Russian roulette,” Bencic stated with a smile. “Generally you are a spectator by yourself court docket.
“Yeah, I attempted to remain constant, keep robust in essential moments. Glad that it was sufficient right now. Clearly very pleased with the win and with the prospect to play one other spherical.”
When Ostapenko was spraying photographs, Bencic correctly gave her area to hit herself right into a gap. Ostapenko dedicated 10 double faults and scattered 55 unforced errors in comparison with 26 for Bencic.
At the moment ranked No. 421—400 spots greater than she was presently final yr—Bencic stated she’s happy together with her progress in her comeback from maternity depart that started final October. Bencic gave start to daughter Bella on April twenty third.
“I felt like right now the suggestions typically,” Bencic stated. “Yeah, you by no means know if [Ostapenko is] going to hit a winner or miss. Yeah, you by no means know.
“Undoubtedly results-wise I am blissful the way it’s going. Step-by-step I really feel higher additionally in apply daily. Clearly you want the outcomes to again it up. Pleased with how the comeback goes thus far.”
Bencic believes motherhood has given her three presents: stunning child Bella, perspective that there is extra to life than tennis and persistence for when issues aren’t going her approach.
“I do not know if it is additional motivation. I really feel like I all the time have motivation to play,” Bencic informed the media in Melbourne. “I do that clearly for myself. I believe it provides me extra sort of, like, relaxed mode as a result of I believe I all the time wish to do my finest.
“Generally I put an excessive amount of stress on myself. Now I really feel like it is a bit simpler to play as a result of, yeah, there’s one thing extra essential than tennis.”
In spherical two, Bencic will face 25-year-old Suzan Lamens.
