Belinda Bencic is officially a top ten player, after a strong week in St. Petersburg. The youngster from Switzerland is the first teenager to break into the top ten since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009.
The Past Year For Belinda Bencic
A year ago, the young Swiss player was ranked at number 37 and was struggling to find any form. Her first WTA tour win of the year did not come until the tournament in Dubai.
From here, Bencic's form continued to be very inconsistent. The youngster reached the fourth round in Indian Wells and Miami, picking up her first win over a top 5 player along the way. However, she only managed to pick up three wins at six clay court events. There was a positive during this period for Bencic, as she won the doubles title in Prague with her partner Kateřina Siniaková.
It was during the grass court tournaments that the 18 year old found her form. Bencic won her first WTA title during this time, defeating Agnieszka Radwańska in the final in Eastbourne.
The 18-year-old carried on her impressive form for the remainder of the season. Bencic won another doubles title, with her close friend Kristina Mladenovic before winning her second singles title at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. During the Rogers Cup, Bencic defeated former grand slam finalists and champions, including Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic and the world number one Serena Williams. Bencic became the youngest player since Maria Sharapova to get a win over Williams, when she defeated the world number one in the semi final.
After a year full of ups and downs, the Swiss player ended the season ranked at number 14 in the world.
Bencic On Making The Top 10
Bencic officially broke into the top ten after defeating fellow young player Daria Kasatkina in St. Petersburg. During her on-court interview, Bencic was asked about her feelings about reaching the top ten.
The Swiss youngster told the interviewer that it was a big day for her and getting into the top 10 was something everyone dreams of as a small child. Bencic said, "As a small kid, everyone is dreaming to one day become Top 10. And now I realize that all the hard work paid off."
Bencic also admitted that she was not sure if she would make it into the top ten. The 18 year old then went on to tell the interviewer that "this is an amazing moment for me and just… my dream. My goal is reached."
The youngester said during her on court interview that "now my next goals are just to keep climbing up, to keep winning matches and still to enjoy it."
There is no doubt that breaking into the top 10 isn't the only milestone Bencic will reach in her career. At 18 years of age, Bencic has many years ahead of her, and if her current rise is anything to go by, she will be one of the top names in the game.