Belinda Bencic keeps on surprising in Dubai.
The Swiss pulled a huge upset in the 3rd round when she defeated Aryna Sabalenka after she saved 6 match points. Belinda wasn’t satisfied with that to repeat herself in the quarters and beat the world no.2 Simona Halep.
The match
Belinda started pretty well with a 2-0 lead at the very beginning of the match. Then Simona stormed back to make it even (2-2) before winning the opener 6-4.
The second set was even until the 8th game when Bencic started her 6-games winning streak to convert a 4-6 3-4 deficit in a 4-6 6-4 3-0 lead. After conceding a couple of games (3-2), the Swiss clinched the last 3 games to win the match 4-6 6-4 6-2.
I knew it was still in me. BENCIC
Belinda was already the world no. 7 3 years ago when she was just 18. However, later she had to battle with an array of injuries to her back and wrist (she had an operation). The Swiss commented
“I’m just really happy. I’m back. I knew it was still in me, even after the injuries. You cannot just come back like this and play. Otherwise, it wouldn’t show how good tennis is.
I had to work my way back. I knew it was in me, but I’m happy that I could finally show it.”
The semifinal against Svitolina
Belinda will face Elina Svitolina in the final. The head to head is 1-0 for the Swiss, but Svitolina, in this case, is the favorite to reach the final.
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