The tennis community was left disappointed when Swiss star Belinda Bencic withdrew from her highly anticipated quarterfinal match against American Coco Gauff at the Canadian Open. The match, scheduled for Tuesday, was set to take place on the prestigious Centre Court in Toronto, but Bencic's hip injury forced her to pull out, abruptly ending her campaign in the tournament.
In an emotional on-court interview with Sportsnet’s Danielle Michaud, Bencic expressed her regret to the fans who had come to support her. "First of all, I’m really, really sorry. I’m well aware that all of you came out tonight to support us, and I’m very sorry that we cannot give you the match. I really tried all I could to be ready for tonight," she stated.
The 26-year-old athlete detailed the challenges she faced leading up to the match, mentioning, "I have some hip issues; it’s like pinching a lot. I tried to warm up, I tried to take painkillers, and none of that really worked. So I’m really sad and disappointed not to be able to play tonight, especially in front of you all and on this beautiful court." This withdrawal raises concerns about the severity of her injury, which could impact her participation in the upcoming Cincinnati Open and, potentially, the US Open.
Bencic's injury comes at a critical juncture in her season. She had entered the Canadian Open following a Round of 16 exit at Wimbledon, where she lost to none other than Gauff in a tightly contested match that ended 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Despite this setback, Bencic had shown promise in Toronto, defeating Sloane Stephens convincingly in her opening match with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
Her next match against Taylor Townsend proved to be a grueling test, lasting three hours and 24 minutes before Bencic emerged victorious with a score of 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. This physically demanding encounter likely contributed to her current condition. However, she rebounded impressively in the Round of 16, where she secured a dominant 6-4, 6-0 victory over Alexandra Eala, ending the Filipina’s seven-match winning streak and positioning herself as a strong contender for the title.
Heading into the quarterfinals, Gauff was viewed as the favorite, holding a 6-2 advantage in their head-to-head record and having already defeated Bencic twice earlier in the season. Gauff's performance at the Canadian Open had been stellar, as she had not dropped a single set in her previous three matches. With hard courts being her preferred surface, Gauff is now seen as a major contender for the title as she prepares for the semifinals.
Bencic's withdrawal not only impacts her immediate tournament ambitions but also raises questions about her fitness as she looks ahead to the rest of the season. As a former top-ten player, her ability to recover quickly will be crucial as she aims to return to peak form in time for the US Open later this summer.
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