Belinda Bencic achieved the biggest win of her career after knocking out world number one Serena Williams to reach the Rogers Cup final. After losing the first set, the Swiss world number 20 rallied back to hand Serena just her second loss of 2015.  After impressive wins against the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Sabine Lisicki and Ana Ivanovic it wouldn’t have been too much of a disappointment for Bencic has she bowed out at this stage. Winning 3-6 7-5 6-4, she moves onto the final and has the opportunity to win her second title of the year.

Bencic came into the match as a huge underdog, as almost every player who faces Serena Williams does. This victory sees her reach third final of the year after getting to the finals in both Hertogenbosch and Eastbourne, being victorious in the latter. In what is proving to be a breakout year for the 18 year-old, this was her 30th win of the year and is on course to improve her seeding for the US Open.

Fireworks were let off for Bencic after the win in a fitting end with the Swiss being the first teenager to beat Serena since Maria Sharapova. Bencic said after the match that the whole thing was a bit of a blur, stating “I have no idea how I played actually, I can’t remember!” . She is set to rise to a career high ranking of 15 just by making the final and could go as high as 12 if she wins the title. This is the third year in a row that an unseeded player has reached the final

“I played like an amateur to be honest”

Going for the calendar slam this year, this loss will not be of huge concern for the 33 year-old American as she prepares for the US Open. Stating after the match that she "played like an amateur", she will perhaps welcome a couple days rest. Her next tournament is set to be the Western & Southern Open and she will be hoping to retain her title after beating Ana Ivanovic in the final last year.

Bencic advances to the final to face Simona Halep after the Romanian survived a tough encounter against Sara Errani winning 6-4 6-4.  

VAVEL Logo
About the author