Coco Gauff versus Belinda Bencic: Intense Mind Games at China Open Clash

Coco Gauff Triumphs at China Open Amid Heated Confrontation with Belinda Bencic

Coco Gauff’s competitive spirit shone brightly at the China Open in Beijing, where she overcame Swiss player Belinda Bencic following an intense on-court clash. Gauff attributed her victory, in part, to her “pettiness,” a reaction to Bencic’s accusation of mind games by Gauff’s team.

Tension Escalates During Crucial Match Moments

As the match progressed, tensions rose dramatically. The pivotal moment occurred during the sixth game of the second set when Bencic was preparing to serve while leading 6-4, 2-3. Having hit a poorly executed drop shot on the previous point that Gauff capitalized on for a winner, Bencic’s frustration was palpable. She gestured towards Gauff’s team, requesting silence and likening their enthusiasm to behavior typical of “under-12s” tennis.

Gauff, displaying her calm demeanor, respectfully addressed Bencic, stating, “I treat your team with respect, you treat my team with respect.” Gauff insisted that her team had not cheered prematurely. Ultimately, Bencic held her serve for a tie at 3-3 before breaking Gauff, who struggled with three double faults.

Gauff’s Resilience Shines Through

In her post-match news conference, Gauff reflected on the moment of frustration, noting, “Immediately after that, next game I was frustrated, threw three doubles.” However, she turned her anger into determination. “I was able to just buckle down. I think it was almost good for me in a way. I think I can play sometimes a little bit better when I’m annoyed,” she explained.

While Bencic initially appeared to hold the match’s momentum, she soon fell into a pattern of complaints directed at the chair umpire about Gauff’s team. Gauff, undeterred, broke back in the following game and secured the second set in a tiebreaker, ultimately winning the match with a final score of 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Mutual Respect Beyond the Court

Post-match, the two players displayed mutual respect with a cordial handshake. Gauff expressed no lingering animosity, stating, “She’s entitled to how she felt and I’m entitled to how I respond.” Gauff also acknowledged Bencic’s impressive return to the sport, especially managing her career as a mother. “I obviously wish today didn’t happen, but it is what it is,” she added.

An Unusual Atmosphere in Beijing

Among the close-to-empty arena at the China Open, the lack of crowd noise amplified the exchanges between players and their teams, contributing to the intensity of their confrontation. Such player-team interactions are frequent in tennis but typically go unnoticed in a noisy stadium setting.

Looking Ahead: Gauff’s Next Challenge

Having qualified for the season-ending WTA Tour Finals with her victory over Bencic, Gauff now looks forward to her next challenge against Eva Lys of Germany. Lys recently secured her place in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event by defeating McCartney Kessler from the U.S. with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Gauff, the defending champion in Beijing, aims to continue her successful run in the tournament.

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