Belinda Bencic looks to continue off her remarkable 2015 with a strong showing against American Alison Riske. This crucial first round Australian Open match is one the Swiss should see off, and a win here would see her better her result from last year already.
Bencic's Notable Slam Results And 2015 Season
Bencic is coming off of a stellar 2015 season which saw her win Premier level titles in Eastbourne and Canada, defeating the likes of Eugenie Bouchard, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep, Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams. Her record in majors was okay, going 6-4, losing in the first Round of the Australian Open to Julia Goerges, the second Round of the French Open to Madison Keys, the fourth Round of Wimbledon to Victoria Azarenka and the third Round of the U.S. Open to Venus Williams.
She also reached finals in Eastbourne and Tokyo, losing to Camila Giorgi and Radwanska, respectively. Her current ranking is 14th and her career high came last August after her title in Canada, which was 12th. Bencic's 2016 started with a semifinal in Sydney, retiring against Monica Puig after losing 6-0 in the 1st set. Her career best result at a major is a quarterfinal appearance at the 2014 U.S. Open with wins over Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic along the way.
Riske's Notable Slam Results And 2015 Season
Riske had a terrible campaign in the majors in 2015, losing in the first round of all four events. Oceane Dodin defeated her in Melbourne, Sara Errani topped her in Paris, Lucie Safarova came from behind to defeat her at Wimbledon, and Genie Bouchard straight-setted her in New York. The first three defeats all went three sets.
She reached the semifinals in Hobart and Nottingham, losing to eventual champion each time, Heather Watson and Ana Konjuh, respectively. Her 2016 season started out well, advancing to the final in Shenzhen, losing to Agnieszka Radwanska. Her career best at a major is the Round of 16 at the 2013 U.S. Open with a notable victory over Petra Kvitova.
Head-To-Head
The only meeting between these two was the finals of Tianjin in which Riske won 6-4, 6-3. It was the first career final for both players. This match is in the same section of the draw as Sydney champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and former Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova. Should either player get out of the section, Serena Williams will most likely be waiting.
What To Expect
Both players best results in a Slam have come on a hard court, so they are definitely comfortable on this surface. Questions arise for both: Is Bencic fully over what was ailing her in Sydney? Can Riske win a match in a major for the first time since the 2014 U.S. Open? The key to the match will be Riske's serve and how Bencic can return it and whether she can use her outstanding court sense, awareness and movement to her advantage.
Prediction: In what should be a close, entertaining affair, I like Bencic to win in three sets. Riske has had problems closing out matches in majors recently.