Belinda Bencic in conversation with the media before the Dubai Open. (Getty Images)
2nd seed Belinda Bencic will face American veteran Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Open on Friday.
The Olympic gold medalist has been in fine form this season. She won the Adelaide International 2 by defeating some top players. Bencic also reached the fourth round at the Australian Open for the second time in her career.
After receiving a bye into the round of 16, Bencic faced the young and talented Marta Kostyuk. Bencic was made to work hard in the two sets but she used her experience to win 6-4, 7-5 in 1 hour and 35 minutes. She managed to convert 4 out of 6 break points and had an exceptional win percentage of 94 on the second serve.
The 30-year-old came into the tournament after being ousted in the second round of the Australian Open by eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. In the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open, Rogers showed a lot of grit and determination to defeat the talented Leylah Fernandez in three sets 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1.
Rogers went on to face 7th seed Anett Kontaveit in the round of 16. The Estonian star bagged the first set but Rogers bounced back strongly to take the second set. Kontaveit was trailing 6-4, 3-6, 4-1 when she had to retire owing to lower back pain.
Belinda Bencic has a comfortable 4-1 lead in the head-to-head scoreline against Shelby Rogers. The Swiss star defeated Rogers in straight sets 7-6, 6-1 in their most recent encounter in the 2021 Western & Southern Open.
Prediction: Belinda Bencic to win in straight sets.
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