Belinda Bencic vs Eugenie Bouchard
Toronto, Hard Court – 1/32‑Finals
🧠 Form & Context
- Belinda Bencic
- 🇨🇭 Back from maternity leave in October 2024, she’s hit top gear with a hard‑court title (Abu Dhabi) and a Wimbledon semifinal.
- 🎾 Canadian Open pedigree: Won here in 2015 and reached the QF in 2013; thrives on big‑match stages.
- 🔋 Confidence high: Survived four tight matches at Wimbledon, showing clutch nerves and fitness.
- Eugenie Bouchard
- 🇨🇦 Retiring after this event, she earned her first win in over a year (def. Arango 6–4, 2–6, 6–2).
- 🏓 Transitioning to pickleball: Brings competitive fire but limited recent match‑play.
- 📉 Struggles vs. top opposition: Has not beaten a top‑20 player since 2017.
🔍 Match Breakdown
- Head‑to‑head: Bencic leads 3–0, including wins in Toronto 2015 (6‑0, 7‑5) and Ostrava 2022 (6‑7, 6‑1, 6‑4).
- Power vs. pressure: Bencic’s penetrating groundstrokes and return game will dominate baseline exchanges. Bouchard must mix slices and come forward, but lack of rhythm may betray her under pressure.
- Serve dynamics: Bencic’s serve generates easy points; Bouchard’s first‑serve percentage has dipped in her comeback, giving Bencic early break chances.
- Mental edge: Bencic’s big‑match temperament contrasts with Bouchard’s farewell nerves—expect the Swiss to capitalize on momentum swings.
🔮 Prediction
Belinda Bencic to sail through in straight sets.
Likely score: 6–3, 6–2
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