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Belinda Bencic Shines as She Advances to Indian Wells Quarter-Finals
Belinda Bencic, the former Olympic champion, showcased remarkable resilience and skill as she defeated Coco Gauff to secure her spot in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells tournament. This victory marks a significant milestone in Bencic’s return to competitive tennis after her maternity leave.
Since welcoming her daughter Bella in April of last year, the 28-year-old Swiss athlete has demonstrated exceptional form, winning 17 out of 21 matches since her return to the WTA Tour this season. Her latest achievement includes clinching the Abu Dhabi Open title just ten months after giving birth, highlighting her swift comeback to the sport.
In her match against Gauff, the American third seed, Bencic fought through a challenging contest, ultimately winning with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Reflecting on her journey, Bencic remarked that motherhood has transformed her perspective on her career, leading her to play with newfound freedom. “I always tell myself it doesn’t matter if I win this match, I’ve already won in life,” she shared during her post-match interview, expressing gratitude for her family and her blessings.
Bencic’s performance in this tournament has been particularly impressive. Starting her comeback as an unranked player on the second-tier WTA Challenger Tour last October, she is set to re-enter the top 50 in the world rankings following her win against Gauff. This victory also marked her second triumph over a top-five opponent this season, having previously defeated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals in Abu Dhabi.
Additionally, Bencic’s journey at Indian Wells is noteworthy; she has become only the sixth wildcard to reach the women’s quarter-finals since the tournament’s inception in 1989. Looking ahead, she will compete against either Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion, or Donna Vekic, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and is a close friend of Bencic’s. With her continued success, Bencic is poised to make an even greater impact in the tournament and the current tennis season.
Source
www.bbc.com