Rising Swiss star Bencic remains on a roll in US
Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic maintained her recent giant-killing form at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday with a battling 7-5, 6-3 win over higher-ranked German opponent Angelique Kerber.
Bencic, 18, is brimming with confidence after winning in Toronto at the weekend after a tournament which included a stunning semi-final defeat of Grand Slam-chasing world number one Serena Williams.
The teenager, coached by Melanie Molitor, mother of Martina Hingis, said on Tuesday that she was pleased with her mental strength after recovering from 5-1 down in the first set to defeat 11th seed Kerber.
"I'm so happy that I could win," Bencic said of her Toronto title.
"It was very nice from the crowd, the great atmosphere on the court. I just tried to fight for every point," she said.
"It's amazing that I could beat so many players so high ranking and top players in the same week.
"I think I definitely improved my tennis, and I hope I can bring it also to here."
Bencic, whose ranking has now reached 12 after her win in Toronto, reeled off four games in succession to level the first set 5-5 after trailing early on to Kerber.
She then broke for 6-5 and took the set a game later.
In the second she began with a break on the way to the win.
"I don't need to adjust my goals because I don't set them like particularly for the ranking," she said.
"I just look from match to match. I would never expect to be number 12 right now."
Bencic's chances of advancing further got a break when women's drawcards Williams and Maria Sharapova and withdrew injured from the Cincinnati tournament.
Sharapova has not played since Wimbledon and has now missed both of the major tune-ups prior to the US Open which begins in less than a fortnight.
The WTA number two is nursing a leg injury which also prevented her from playing last week in Toronto.
"It's a tough decision to make, but I think a wise one, in order to give myself the right amount of time to be as healthy as I can be for the Open, which I believe is very realistic," Sharapova said.
"But I don't know if it would be realistic if I did compete and start tomorrow."
The Russian was joined as a victim by Williams, who cited a viral illness.
The pullout of the American gave a walkover into the third round for 2014 finalist Ana Ivanovic.
"I just wasn't able to get out there tonight. Every match you have to be at your best, to win," said Williams, who made her decision after pre-match warm-up.
"I just couldn't be at my best today."
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Bencic, 18, is brimming with confidence after winning in Toronto at the weekend after a tournament which included a stunning semi-final defeat of Grand Slam-chasing world number one Serena Williams.
The teenager, coached by Melanie Molitor, mother of Martina Hingis, said on Tuesday that she was pleased with her mental strength after recovering from 5-1 down in the first set to defeat 11th seed Kerber.
"I'm so happy that I could win," Bencic said of her Toronto title.
"It was very nice from the crowd, the great atmosphere on the court. I just tried to fight for every point," she said.
"It's amazing that I could beat so many players so high ranking and top players in the same week.
"I think I definitely improved my tennis, and I hope I can bring it also to here."
Bencic, whose ranking has now reached 12 after her win in Toronto, reeled off four games in succession to level the first set 5-5 after trailing early on to Kerber.
She then broke for 6-5 and took the set a game later.
In the second she began with a break on the way to the win.
"I don't need to adjust my goals because I don't set them like particularly for the ranking," she said.
"I just look from match to match. I would never expect to be number 12 right now."
Bencic's chances of advancing further got a break when women's drawcards Williams and Maria Sharapova and withdrew injured from the Cincinnati tournament.
Sharapova has not played since Wimbledon and has now missed both of the major tune-ups prior to the US Open which begins in less than a fortnight.
The WTA number two is nursing a leg injury which also prevented her from playing last week in Toronto.
"It's a tough decision to make, but I think a wise one, in order to give myself the right amount of time to be as healthy as I can be for the Open, which I believe is very realistic," Sharapova said.
"But I don't know if it would be realistic if I did compete and start tomorrow."
The Russian was joined as a victim by Williams, who cited a viral illness.
The pullout of the American gave a walkover into the third round for 2014 finalist Ana Ivanovic.
"I just wasn't able to get out there tonight. Every match you have to be at your best, to win," said Williams, who made her decision after pre-match warm-up.
"I just couldn't be at my best today."
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