Swiss star sees positive return to Grand Slam action
FORMER world number four Belinda Bencic has made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis, toppling 16th seed Jelena Ostapenko in yesterday’s first round action.
On her return from maternity leave, it may have taken Bencic six match points but she ultimately prevailed in straight sets 6-3 7-6.
In a match littered with double faults (18 between the pair), ultimately Bencic finished with a better percentage of both first serves in and wins off her first serve. Bencic also did much better in the unforced errors count, only recording 26 compared to Ostapenko’s 55.
Before the tournament Bencic had said that she hopes she can have her best tennis in front of her and yesterday she showed consistency on court that was in stark contrast to her opponent’s approach.
Next up Bencic has to face Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens, who beat Slovene qualifier Veronika Erjavec on the opening day of the tournament.
In stark contrast to day one, it was a much better day for the local hopes. Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets, while young guns Talia Gibson and Destanee Aiava both picked up surprise three set wins. It however was not a main draw debut to remember for Maya Joint, who fell to seventh seed Jessica Pegula.
Other big names to win on day two were Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN’S RESULTS: JANUARY 13
C. Gauff (3) defeated S. Kenin 6-3, 6-3
N. Osaka defeated C. Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
A. Tomljanovic (WC) defeated A. Krueger 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
D. Collins (10) defeated D. Snigur (Q) 7-6, 6-3
I. Swiatek (2) defeated K. Siniakova 6-3, 6-4
J. Pegula (7) defeated M. Joint (WC) 6-3, 6-0
D. Shnaider (12) defeated E. Cocciaretto 7-6, 6-4
L. Bronzetti defeated V. Azarenka 21) 6-2, 7-6
B. Bencic defeated J. Ostapenko (16) 6-5, 7-6
M. Kostyuk (17) defeated N. Hibino (Q) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
T. Gibson (WC) defeated Z. Sonmez 3-6, 7-6, 6-1
D. Aiava (Q) defeated G. Minnen 5-7, 7-5, 7-6
C. Dolehide defeated S. Bejlek (Q) 7-6. 6-2
K. Muchova (20) defeated N. Podoroska 6-1, 6-1
M. Uchijima defeated M. Linette 4-6, 6-2, 7-6
A. Pavlyuchenkova (27) defeated Y. Yuan 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
L. Samsonova (25) defeated K. Rakhimova 6-2, 6-4
E. Svitolina (28) defeated S. Cirstea 6-4, 6-4
R. Sramkova defeated K. Volynets 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
H. Dart (LL) defeated J. Fett (Q) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6
J. Cristian defeated P. Martic (LL) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6
J. Burrage defeated L. Jeanjean (Q) 6-2, 6-4
M. Frech (23) defeated P. Kudermetova (Q) 6-4, 6-4
E. Mertens defeated V. Golubic (Q) 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
O. Danilovic defeated A. Rus 6-4, 6-4
J. Niemeier defeated M. Chwalinska (Q) 6-0, 6-1
L. Siegemund defeated H. Baptiste 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
A. Potapova defeated T. Zidansek (Q) 6-2, 7-5
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