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Wow, Amazingly Impressive Bencic Shocks the World and Serena
6 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
In an unbelievably impressive performance on all levels, Belinda Bencic conquered the queen of tennis Serena Williams in the Rogers Cup semifinal 36 75 64.
The score may look like Serena was a little off her top form, but after watching the third set I’d give all the credit in the world to Bencic for an amazing display of tennis that will absolutely send massive shockwaves through the WTA and the tennis realm.
The eighteen year old Bencic, ranked #20, has been on fire lately, she won the Washington DC Citi Open doubles with Kiki Mladenovic and also upset two top ten players this week in Toronto.
But it was the stunning cool and powerful precision of her performance which were astonishing. Bencic matched Serena from the baseline yet she did it with a remarkable almost easy – it was Serena doing all the loud grunting and roaring while Bencic was so comfortable and natural, she didn’t need to utter a peep of a grunt. Bencic, coached by Melanie Molitor and Martina Hingis, as well as her dad, looked every bit like the kind of player that can dethrone the dominant veteran super champion and become the catalyst that ends her career.
Bencic also handled Serena’s serve with surprising comfort. Some are saying Serena’s serve was off but it looked good to me, she unleashed her share of aces, the problem was just that on some clutch points, under enormous pressure, the serve did struggle. But that was because the astonishing play of Bencic had forced Serena into tightness. Serena could not finish the job in the close second set and was down 1-5 in the third, losing the critical 0-2 game of multiple deuces to fall into the 0-3 hole, but Serena powered back with two hard earned breaks of Bencic to 4-5 and served to go to 5-5 but Bencic broke to win the match. Match point was a forehand one-two – to Serena’s backhand corner then another into the open court up the line, which Serena did not even make an attempt to run down.
Belinda Bencic, the eighteen year old sensation cried tears of joy and shock moments after the win, tears of joy which expressed what she suddenly realized – she really truly does have the qualities, the poise, the natural comfort, and most of all the powerful mature game to be the best player in the world someday soon. It was a night of self-realization. Yes, Belinda Bencic is more than a prized prospect, another overly hyped young talent, she is the real deal and this monumental win over Serena Williams proves it.
Bencic’s use of emotions was perfect, she kept her poise at all times and at the key moments she roared like a lioness showing Serena she has just as much intensity and she can match Serena’s renowned intensity when necessary. Also impressive to me were when Serena blasted her winners, her return winners, her aces, Bencic never once showed any frustration or negative body language, she just turned and accepted it in an instant, and moved on to focus on the next point. It was in so many ways, just a perfect display of world champion tennis. And there will be many many more of these displays by Bencic I am sure of it.
Suddenly, Serena Williams’ quest to win her first Grand Slam has a major obstacle and threat to be concerned about. Very, very concerned.
And a new era commenced last night in Toronto. The Belinda Bencic age is here.
Amazing display by teen Belinda
6 comments
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Dan Markowitz · August 16, 2015 at 10:25 am
It was a good match, Scoop, and a great performance by Bencic who also beat Bouchard in 3 in Canada. But I could never tell until almost the very end whether Serena was really into the match. She played so poorly for a large swatch of the match.
Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2015 at 1:43 pm
Serena was definitely into the match Dan, fully. She was trying to keep composed and in control despite how well Bencic played, but her full intensity leaked out of the disguise several times. She just could not get a handle on Bencic. Serena and all the big champions are extra motivated to put down these young whippersnappers, to send a message, like in Miami how Serena put it on Cici Bellis. The bottom line is Belinda Bencic is THE ONE. She showed it this week and LAST NIGHT. She will be number ONE, she will win majors, just a matter of time. Last night we learned this truth.
Harold · August 16, 2015 at 2:56 pm
99% of the time. these girls quake in front of Williams. Bencic was about to fold like a cheap Yonex outfit, but with help from Williams, she barely held on, after being up 5-1 in the third.
Wiliams usual I played like crap, presser.Cam someone ask, why she played like crap?
Scoop Malinowski · August 16, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Serena played the way she did because Bencic MADE her play that way. Simple as that. As one tennis scribe aptly said, “In women’s tennis NLS – no lead is safe.”
Moskova Moskova · August 17, 2015 at 10:18 am
could be some “subconscience-self-tanks” with both serena and djoko last week….could be saving themselves for the big USO…
Bryan · August 23, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Great to see Bencic already living up to her natural talent. She’s got some nice wrinkles in her game and the poise to shift gears during matches. She beat 4 of the top 5 players on her way to the Rogers Cup title.
I’m getting better at choosing bandwagons. Been a big supporter of Bencic and Svitolina, along with my longtime faves Vika, Bojana and Vekic. Bencic wins a big tournament at 18 and Svitolina has made the semifinals in 2 of her last 3 tournaments (I attended her matches at Stanford).