Bencic knocks out Ostapenko, Stricker and Tsitsipas in round 1

Belinda⁤ Bencic made a triumphant return to Grand ‌Slam tennis, securing her first victory as a mother at the 2025 Australian Open. The Olympic champion from Switzerland faced a challenging match ‍against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, ranked‌ 17th in the world, ultimately winning with scores of 6-3 and 7-6. The match was a nail-biter, with bencic overcoming five ⁢match points in the second⁤ set and fending off two set points from Ostapenko during a tense tiebreak. This ⁣victory⁢ marks a significant milestone⁤ in Bencic’s career, showcasing‌ her resilience and skill on the court.Belinda‌ Bencic showcased her resilience in a thrilling match‌ at the Australian Open, overcoming a tense ⁢tiebreak to secure her spot in the second round. The Swiss ⁢player, who initially led 3:1 ⁢and 4:2, faced a challenging ⁤moment as she⁢ fell⁤ behind 4:6, but ultimately triumphed with a crucial net ​edge on ⁣her sixth match point. Bencic’s performance‌ indicates she is regaining her form from ⁢2023, while‌ her next opponent, Dutch ​player Suzan‌ Lamens, poses a formidable challenge after her recent quarter-final success in Brisbane.⁤ Simultaneously occurring, Swiss tennis faced disappointment as Dominic Stricker was eliminated in the first round by Australia’s James duckworth, marking a⁣ tough ‌start to the season for the young player.In a⁣ thrilling⁤ encounter at the Australian Open, Viktorija Golubic’s extraordinary 15-match winning streak came ⁣to an unexpected halt as she fell to Belgium’s Elise‌ Mertens. After nearly three ⁢hours of intense play, ‍mertens clinched the victory with a score of 4:6, 7:6 (10:8), 6:4, overcoming two match points against her. This⁤ match​ marked ⁤a‌ significant moment for Mertens, who has consistently ⁢performed well at ‍Grand ‍Slam tournaments, having ‍only onc exited in the ⁢first round over⁢ the‌ past seven ‍years.Golubic, who ‌had recently triumphed ‌in Jiujiang and Limoges, showcased ⁤her skills but‍ ultimately​ could not secure the win, leaving fans eager for‌ her next performance.Stefanos Tsitsipas faced a shocking first-round exit at ‌the Australian ⁤Open, falling ⁤to 20-year-old american Alex Michelsen in a hard-fought⁣ match that ended 5:7, 3:6, 6:2, 4:6. This defeat marks Tsitsipas’s third consecutive early exit from a Grand Slam tournament,having previously lost in the first ​round at the US Open‍ and the second round at Wimbledon. Michelsen, ranked 41st in the ATP, celebrated his first victory over a top 20 ‌player,​ despite showing​ signs of nerves in the final‌ set, including a double‌ fault that allowed⁢ Tsitsipas to break. Meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov also withdrew from ​the tournament due to injury, continuing ​a disappointing⁤ trend for the Bulgarian, who has now ‍missed three consecutive ‌Grand ​Slam events.In a ​dramatic​ first round at the‍ Australian Open,Grigor ⁤Dimitrov’s tournament came to an unexpected end as‍ he retired during ‍his match against Italy’s Francesco Passaro. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner and world number three Carlos Alcaraz advanced smoothly to⁢ the ​second round without dropping a ⁣set. Novak ⁣djokovic faced a challenging start, losing the first set to US teenager Nishesh Basavareddy before rallying to secure a ​4-6, 6-3, 6-4, ‌6-2 victory.The tournament continues to showcase thrilling matches as players vie for the ⁤prestigious title ‌in Melbourne.The 2024 Australian Open has captivated tennis fans worldwide, showcasing thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.among the highlights, the duo of Hsieh Su-Wei and Jan Zielinski celebrated their remarkable victory, lifting the trophy in ⁤a tournament filled with intense competition and stunning ​performances. As the event unfolds, spectators are treated to a visual feast, with the best pictures capturing the spirit and excitement of the⁤ games. Stay tuned for more updates ​and insights from this prestigious Grand Slam⁤ event,⁤ as it continues to deliver drama and athletic excellence on⁤ the court.