Belinda Bencic's recent form has been a rollercoaster, but could her performance in Ningbo signal a turning point? She's off to a winning start at the WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo, China, securing a confident victory and moving into the second round. The Swiss star, currently ranked 14th in the world, defeated Magda Linette of Poland with a score of 6:3, 6:2. This win sets her up for a round of 16 clash against a qualifier – either Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan or Yulia Starodubtseva from Ukraine. But here's where it gets interesting...
Bencic's dominance in the match was clear. Linette, ranked 56th globally, has been struggling lately, losing in the first round of ten out of her last thirteen tournaments. Bencic capitalized on this, consistently leading in both sets and maintaining control throughout. In fact, she held serve flawlessly, not allowing Linette to gain any significant momentum. For the first seven service games, Bencic conceded a maximum of only one point per game – talk about a statement of intent!
And this is the part most people miss... While a win is always good news, context is crucial. This victory marks Bencic's first win against a top 70 player since her impressive semi-final run at Wimbledon back in July. Since then, the grass court classic feels like a distant memory, with Bencic winning only five singles matches across five tournaments. This makes the Ningbo win even more significant, suggesting a potential return to form for the No. 6 seed.
Now, this is where things could get controversial... Some might argue that Linette's recent struggles make this win less impressive. Others might say that any victory against a top 70 player is a step in the right direction, regardless of their current form. What do you think? Does this win truly signal a resurgence for Bencic, or is it just a momentary blip? Is it fair to diminish a player's victory based on their opponent's performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! We're eager to hear your perspectives on Bencic's chances in Ningbo and her overall trajectory for the remainder of the season.
