Bencic holds off Kostyuk to make Abu Dhabi quarterfinals

No.2 seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland claimed a spot in her second quarterfinal of the season with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk on the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open on Wednesday.

World No.9 Bencic got here again from 5-3 down within the second set to seize the straight-set win over 57th-ranked Kostyuk after 1 hour and 35 minutes of play. Bencic improves to 2-0 in opposition to Kostyuk, having additionally crushed the Ukrainian at Miami final yr.

“I used to be anticipating it to be a tricky match in opposition to Marta,” Bencic mentioned after her first match of the week, following her first-round bye. “I’m pleased with how every thing went, possibly some issues I can enhance, however it’s at all times good to get the primary [win].”

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Bencic has a win-loss document of 9-2 thus far this yr, which incorporates her seventh profession singles title on the Adelaide Worldwide 2 in January. Her solely two losses this season have been to World No.1 Iga Swiatek at United Cup and eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka within the Australian Open Spherical of 16.

Kostyuk can also be having a powerful season, and he or she was looking for a spot in her third quarterfinal on tour in 2023. However the Ukrainian was unable to carry onto her second-set lead, and he or she is now 0-12 in opposition to Prime 10 opposition in her profession (0-3 this yr).

Bencic was sensible on serve within the first set, the place she by no means confronted a break level and gained 94 % of her first-service factors. Nevertheless, after Bencic took a 2-0 lead within the second set, Kostyuk gained 5 of the following six video games to abruptly serve for the second set at 5-3.

However Bencic broke again instantly to get again on serve, and he or she adopted up a passing winner with a forehand winner to interrupt Kostyuk once more for a 6-5 lead. Bencic closed out the win within the subsequent sport with an unreturnable serve, having gained the final 4 video games of the encounter.

Bencic’s quarterfinal opponent will probably be American qualifier Shelby Rogers. World No.46 Rogers superior to her first quarterfinal of the yr after No.7 seed Anett Kontaveit of Estonia retired from their second-round match whereas trailing 4-6, 6-3, 4-1.

After dropping the second set and falling behind 3-0 within the third set, Kontaveit acquired a medical time-out. The Estonian made it two extra video games earlier than ending the match attributable to a decrease again harm.

Like Bencic, Rogers’ Australian Open run ended by the hands of eventual champion Sabalenka, who gained their second-round conflict in Melbourne.