Ann Li vs Belinda Bencic

🎾 US Open Betting Briefings
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Ann Li vs Belinda Bencic — US Open 2R Preview

WTA US Open Hard Court Round 2

🧠 Form & Context

Ann Li (No. 58, age 25)

• 🇺🇸 American baseliner rediscovering form after a patchy 2024.
• 📊 2025: 24–20 overall, 11–10 on hard.
• 🔥 US swing: Cleveland finalist (wins over Jacquemot, Wang, Jovic; lost to Cîrstea in the final). Prague QF in July.
• 🏟️ US Open: Best = R3 (2020). Snapped the drought with a R1 win over Šramková 4–6, 6–2, 6–4.
• ⚠️ Red flag: 3–12 career vs top-20; no such win since Miami 2022.

Belinda Bencic (No. 19, age 28)

• 🇨🇭 Former world No. 4; 2019 USO semifinalist and 3x quarterfinalist here.
• 📊 2025: 28–13 overall, 20–8 on hard. Titles: Abu Dhabi; Wimbledon SF last month.
• 🔥 USO 1R: Beat Zhang Shuai 6–3, 6–3.
• 🏟️ New York comfort: R3 or better in 7 of her last 8 USO appearances.
• 💡 Calling card: Compact timing, sharp backhand redirects, strong return in NYC’s slower conditions.

Head-to-Head: First meeting (0–0).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Baseline exchanges: Li brings solid depth and tempo, but lacks a consistent knockout ball to hit through Bencic. The Swiss will look to take time away, especially with backhand redirects line/cross to open forehand space.

Return pressure: Bencic’s compact take-backs make her a perennial threat on second-serve looks. Li needs a high first-serve rate and early depth to avoid extended defensive patterns.

Experience gap: Bencic’s Slam résumé and big wins this season contrast with Li’s longstanding struggles vs top-tier opponents.

Upset path for Li: Stretch rallies, target Bencic’s forehand corner to draw shorter replies, mix height/pace, and protect service games to force a breaker or late-set squeeze.

🔮 Prediction

Li’s Cleveland form suggests she can keep one set tight, but over two sets Bencic’s return quality and directional control should tell. The Swiss is historically reliable in New York and well-suited to these conditions.

Pick: Bencic in 2 sets — something around 6–4, 6–3 feels live.

📊 Tale of the Tape (Qualitative)

• First-strike + redirects: Edge Bencic (backhand precision).
• Rally tolerance: Even, with slight edge Bencic in big points.
• Return on 2nd serve: Clear edge Bencic in NYC conditions.
• Big-match reps: Bencic — deep USO pedigree.
• H2H: 0–0 — new look for both.
• Volatility index: Medium — Li competitive early; Bencic separation late.