Indian wells
Wild card mom Bencic 6th to reach IW Quarters
Swiss Belinda Bencic reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal as a mother with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in Indian Wells
In a match lasting 2 hours 20 minutes Benic avenged a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 loss in the Australian Open fourth round and the pair now stand 2-2 in the head to head.
Bencic reached the last eight here for the second time having reached the 2019 semi final.
In her on court interview the winner said “This is why you’re practising and working hard all your life,”
“The cheers before the match point, I had chills and goosebumps and just put the serve into the court because I was so nervous.”
Previously ranked World No. 4 Bencic, who gave birth to daughter Bella last April, returned to the WTAtour in October 2024 and has clawed her way back up the rankings to No. 58
Her success this week will push her into the top 50 next Monday.
The Swiss will play Australian Open champion Madison Keys, the fifth seed in the quarter finals.
Main photo:- Belinda Bencic celebrates victory – by ISF Ltd