Written by Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, January 13, 2025
Photo credit: John Buckle/Rolex
You face a familiar face, Belinda Bencic she braved friendly fire to get her first big win as a mother.
2020 Olympic gold medalist Bencic beat 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 7-6(6) to reach the second round of the Australian Open in nine years after her fourth-round loss in Melbourne Park.
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Afterward, Bencic said facing the hard-hitting Ostapenko was like tennis' version of Russian roulette: every shot could kill.
“I think it's tricky to play him. Sometimes it feels like Russian roulette,” Bencic said with a smile. “Sometimes you become a spectator in your stadium.
“Yes, I tried to be consistent, I stayed strong in the important moments. I'm glad it was enough today. Obviously I'm very happy with the win and the chance to play another round.”
When Ostapenko fired the shot, Bencic wisely gave her space to hit herself in the hole. Ostapenko committed 10 double faults and dished out 55 unforced errors compared to Bencic's 26.
Currently ranked No. 421—400 places higher than she was at this time last year—Bencic said she is happy with her progress in her return from maternity leave that began last October. Bencic gave birth to daughter Bella on April 23.
“I felt like the answer today at times,” Bencic said. “Yes, you don't know [Ostapenko is] you will hit a winner or miss. Well, you never know.
“Definitely if you look at the results I'm happy with how it's going. Step by step I'm feeling better and in training every day. Obviously you need results to back it up. I'm happy with how the comeback is going so far.”
Bencic believes that motherhood has given her three gifts: a beautiful child Bella, the idea that there is more to life than tennis and patience when things don't go her way.
“I don't know if it's extra motivation. I feel like I'm always motivated to play,” said Bencic to the media in Melbourne. “I do this for myself obviously. I think it gives me more of a, like, relaxed mode because I think I always want to do my best.
“Sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself. Now I feel like it's easier to play because, yes, there is something more important than tennis.”
In the second round, Bencic will face 25-year-old Suzan Lamens.
