After a brilliant performance in the previous round, Belinda Bencic would have been hoping to carry the momentum into the match against Julia Boserup. Unfortunately for the number seven seed, a left wrist injury saw her Wimbledon run come to an abrupt end.
Prior to Bencic's retirement, Boserup was looking comfortable on the court. The American qualifier found a way to outplay Bencic, moving the Swiss around the court effortlessly. Boserup won the opening set and then picked up an early break in the first game of the second set. After losing the first game of the second set, Bencic decided it was best for her to not risk making the injury any worse and retired from the match.
Boserup takes the opening set
Bencic started the match on the front foot, as she got herself on the scoreboard with a strong hold of service. The Swiss youngster then found herself with two break point chances in the second game. After a string of impressive shots, Boserup managed to prevent Bencic from taking either of the break points. Boserup then went on to hold her service and get her first game of the match.
At the change of ends after the third game, it was clear to see that Bencic was feeling some pain in her wrist. The 19-year-old was grasping it throughout the changeover, but did not ask for the trainer at that moment of time. Bencic continued to play but things soon took a turn for the worse for her, as Boserup went ahead for the first time in the match. Boserup capitalized on some poor play by Bencic to break the Swiss youngster at the second time of asking. Boserup showed no signs of nerves as she consolidated the break with a strong hold of service.
The next three games went in the direction of the player who was serving, with both Bencic and Boserup winning their games with relative ease. This took the score in the set to 5-4, giving Boserup the chance to serve for the set. Boserup looked on her way to comfortably winning the set, as she raced to a 40-0 lead. Bencic was not going to go down without a fight and she prevented Boserup from taking the three set point opportunities. Boserup hit another good shot to work herself another set point chance. This time around Bencic could do nothing to prevent Boserup from taking the set at the fourth time of asking.
Injury forces Bencic to retire
Bencic requested the trainer at the end of the first set but had to play the next game whilst waiting for the trainer to arrive on the court. The Swiss youngster was clearly in pain, as she struggled to hit shots especially on her backhand side. Boserup capitalized on Bencic's inability to play her usual game and found herself with two break point opportunities. Bencic managed to fight off the break points with two impressive drop shots, however, another error gifted Boserup another chance to break. Boserup eventually broke Bencic, putting herself in a commanding position in the match.
At the end of the game, Bencic walked to the umpire and told her that she could not continue to play. The Swiss player could not play a backhand and struggled to play a two handed drop shot, and decided that the pain was too much for her to continue to play with. Bencic's retirement meant that Boserup took the match after just over forty five minutes.
Boserup looked impressive during the match, and there is no doubt that if she continues to play like this she will continue to rise in the rankings. The American qualifier is into the third round where she will face the talented Russian, Elena Vesnina.
