Swiss star Belinda Bencic happy to be the hunted after making strong start at Adelaide International
World No. 7 Belinda Bencic has started well at the Adelaide International, beating Russian Daria Kasatkina in her opening match. She says it’s the perfect preparation for her Australian Open campaign.
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Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic knows she is likely to be one of the hunted players on tour this WTA tennis season after an outstanding 2019.
Bencic ended last season ranked No. 8 winning two WTA titles, making semi-finals five times - including at the US Open - and reaching the third round five times (at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon).
But the pressure that comes with starting off the year with such a great record does not scare the world No. 7 as she edges closer to the first grand slam of 2020 - the Australian Open.
“What would Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal say (about withstanding pressure)?,” Bencic said.
“I think they have more pressure than me.
“I had a great season last year and I had fun playing tennis.
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“I like to play tennis and that’s why I’m not afraid of losing, but I am still trying to become better and move up the rankings - that’s my goal.”
Bencic was called up to replace Venus Williams at this week’s inaugural Adelaide International tournament after the five-time Wimbledon champion withdrew due to a hip injury.
The 22-year-old’s campaign at Memorial Drive got off to a hot start on Monday after she proved too strong for world No. 68 Russian Daria Kasatkina, winning 6-4, 6-4.
Bencic and Kasatkina are friends and old junior rivals.
The Swiss rising star beat the Russian in both of their junior meetings on clay in 2013 and now after Monday at pro level the ledger is tied at 2-2.
“I am really happy and grateful to get a wildcard here to get some matches,” Bencic said.
“It is really tough for me to play her.
“We are friends and we’ve known each other a really long time from juniors.
“I’m always a little bit rusty at the start of the season.
“She (Kasatkina) does have a really different game style to me and I play also much different to her that’s why it’s always very interesting when we play each other.”
Bencic said it was important for her to continue the momentum and to ensure she took winning form into the Australian Open.
In other women’s singles round one results, USA’s world No. 15 Sofia Kenin beat Switzerland world No. 78 Viktorija Golubic 6-0, 6-4, and Danielle Collins (USA) triumphed against Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarusian) 6-3,-6-2.
Anastasija Sevastova lost to Donna Vekic in a hard-fought, three-set match 6-4, 1-6, 3-6, while Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won her match against Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Brisbane semi-finalist Petra Kvitova joined Kiki Bertens in withdrawing from the tournament, leading to Angelique Kerber moving into Kvitova’s draw position as the No. 9 seed.