Belinda Bencic's winning streak at the United Cup continued on Saturday, as she secured a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(0) victory over Elise Mertens, keeping Switzerland's hopes alive in the semi-finals. Bencic, who entered the match with an impressive 6-0 record, faced a formidable opponent in Mertens, who had previously defeated her in 2021. But the Swiss tennis star was determined to maintain her undefeated season-opening run, and she did so in dramatic fashion.
Mertens, who had won against Zhu Lin in straight sets, faced back-to-back tough matches against Victoria Mboko and Barbora Krejcikova. Bencic, on the other hand, had dominated her opponents, Leolia Jeanjean, Jasmine Paolini, and Solana Sierra, leading Switzerland to the final four. The match was tense, with Bencic two games away from a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory, but Mertens fought back, denying Bencic two chances to tie the second set at 5-5 and breaking her serve to take the set.
The third set was a rollercoaster, with Mertens mounting a comeback from 3-1 down, saving break points, and serving at 30-30, down 6-5. But Bencic, in a moment of brilliance, decided to change her racquet, and it proved to be a game-changer. She won the last nine points of the match, wrapping up victory in 2 hours and 37 minutes. Bencic's post-match comments revealed the pressure she felt, saying, 'It feels like 170 kilos fell off my shoulders.'
The Swiss team now awaits Stan Wawrinka's performance against Zizou Bergs, hoping to secure their spot in the final for the first time. But here's where it gets controversial... Bencic's racquet change has sparked debate among tennis enthusiasts. Some argue that it was a bold move that paid off, while others question the timing and the potential impact on the match's outcome. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Bencic's decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
