Belinda Bencic vs Eugenie Bouchard

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

Eugenie Bouchard 🇨🇦 vs Emiliana Arango 🇨🇴

🎾 Eugenie Bouchard 🇨🇦 vs Emiliana Arango 🇨🇴 – WTA Toronto R1 Preview

📅 Monday, July 28 · WTA 1000 Toronto · Outdoor Hard

🧠 Form & Context

Eugenie Bouchard 🇨🇦

• 🇨🇦 Final farewell: Playing her swan song in front of home fans at the National Bank Open before retirement.
• ⏳ Rusty but motivated: Has played only once in 2025 (loss in Newport Beach), but fueled by emotion and legacy.
• 🎾 Flashback: Former world No. 5, Wimbledon finalist, and reached R16 in Montreal back in 2016—knows how to shine on big stages.

Emiliana Arango 🇨🇴

• 🌟 Breakout campaign: Climbed to a career-high No. 76 after 125K titles and a Mérida final in 2025.
• 📉 Recent wobble: Lost 12 of her last 17 matches, with confidence dipping across surfaces.
• 🔨 Hard-court record: Strong 13–4 season on hard shows her comfort on the surface and readiness for this match.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Baseline vs. Variety: Bouchard’s backhand slice and forehand accuracy could challenge Arango’s power game, but the Colombian’s court coverage and pace could flip pressure back quickly.

Mental Battle: Bouchard’s emotions could elevate her level or create vulnerability; Arango must stay mentally stable and absorb early pressure.

Serve Dynamics: If Bouchard lands a high first-serve percentage early, she’ll stay competitive. Arango’s return game must pounce on second serves.

🔮 Prediction

Bouchard will bring passion and nostalgia in front of the Canadian crowd, but lack of match play and rhythm will likely catch up. Arango’s solid 2025 form and movement make her the safer pick in tight moments.

🧩 Pick: Emiliana Arango def. Eugenie Bouchard 6–4, 6–4