Intense Two-Hour Battle Nobody Expected in Iga Świątek’s Match
Iga Świątek Defeats Belinda Bencic in Thrilling Wuhan Open Match
Świątek’s Dominance Continues at the Wuhan Open
Iga Świątek showcased her tennis prowess with a convincing victory over Marie Bouzková (6-1, 6-1) to advance to the round of 16 at the Wuhan Open. Her next challenge was formidable—competing against the world’s 15th-ranked player, Belinda Bencic. Świątek, coming into the match with a clear goal of securing another decisive win, demonstrated her winning form early.
Head-to-Head: Świątek vs. Bencic
Past encounters between Świątek and Bencic favored the Polish star, who had emerged victorious in four out of their five previous matchups. Bencic’s sole win was back in 2021 in New York. Świątek’s track record made her the favorite, and she quickly lived up to expectations by breaking Bencic’s serve early on.
Strong Start for Świątek
Świątek began the match with a flawless service game, immediately breaking Bencic’s serve to take an early lead. Her powerful service game was a highlight, recording three aces in the first two games and shaking Bencic’s confidence.
Bencic Fights Back
Despite a shaky start, Bencic regained composure and challenged Świątek by leveling the score from a 0-3 deficit. The Swiss player capitalized on Świątek’s momentary lapses and managed to gain a 5-4 lead, putting Świątek under pressure.
Świątek’s Resilience Shines Through
Not one to be easily defeated, Świątek fought back fiercely, regaining control of her service games and forcing a tiebreaker. In the tiebreak, the Polish player dominated with a 7-2 win after showing why she is the world’s second-ranked player.
Challenging Second Set
The tension continued into the second set as Bencic broke Świątek’s serve early, taking a lead and testing Świątek’s resilience. Despite these challenges, Świątek’s speed and endurance shone through, allowing her to tie the score at 2-2.
A Well-Deserved Victory for Świątek
With the match progressing intensely, Świątek’s tactical prowess and skill eventually gave her a 4-3 lead. After serving her seventh ace, she secured the win with a 6-4 triumph in the second set, concluding over two hours of intense play.
Quarterfinals Await Against Jasmine Paolini
Next, Świątek will face Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals, a player she has an undefeated record against in six prior matches. The match is scheduled for Friday, not before 1 PM, though organizers may adjust the timing. Świątek remains focused on advancing further at the Wuhan Open.
