In an electrifying tennis match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Swiss sensation Belinda Bencic made a remarkable comeback from the brink of defeat in the initial round of the Miami Open. Bencic was teetering on the edge of a premature exit, staring down a 3-5 deficit in the decisive third set. However, a late surge saw her claw her way back to a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over world No. 42 Dayana Yastremska.
This nail-biting encounter marked Bencic’s triumphant return to the Miami Open, her first match at the tournament since 2023. Her absence from last year’s edition was due to a maternity break. Despite the two-hour and 38-minute-long grueling battle, the former world No. 4 emerged victorious, ensuring her first match after the break was far from forgettable.
Had the match tilted in Yastremska’s favor, it would have been a disheartening first opening-round defeat for Bencic in 2025. This year, the Miami Open is her sixth tournament. With this win over Yastremska, Bencic, currently ranked world No. 45, has paved her way to a second-round confrontation with the 22nd-seeded Elina Svitolina, who had a first-round bye.
The match was a rollercoaster ride of suspense and high-stakes play. Bencic secured the first set with a sole break in the third game. Yet, Yastremska, the Ukrainian powerhouse, had her fair share of opportunities as well, with break points in three separate games. However, she was unable to capitalize on any of her eight break points.
In a dramatic turn of events in the second set, Yastremska seized her chances, storming to a 5-0 lead before serving out for a decider in the seventh game. The third set started with Yastremska losing an early break but reclaiming another in the third game to take a 5-3 lead. However, her serve for the match in the 10th game was broken, leading to a visible display of frustration as she smashed her racket.
Bencic seized this moment, capitalizing on her opponent’s frustration. She played a strategic game, forcing the Ukrainian into errors rather than going for overambitious shots. This tactic paid off, with Bencic claiming the 11th and 12th games to complete her stunning comeback. This match served as a testament to Bencic’s resilience and strategic acumen, setting the pace for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.
