In an unexpected turn, tenth seed Belinda Bencic fell to 19-year-old Nikola Bartůňková in the second round of the Australian Open. The match concluded with scores of 6–3, 0–6, 6–4, eliminating Bencic from the tournament.
Match Overview
Bencic, the Swiss No. 1, entered the tournament as a favorite following her strong performance at the United Cup, where she won all five of her matches. However, Bartůňková, ranked No. 126 in the world, displayed impressive resilience throughout the encounter.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
- First Set: Bartůňková showed early dominance, taking the set 6–3. Despite landing only 38% of her first serves, she won an impressive 90% of points when she did.
- Second Set: Bencic responded powerfully, leveling the match with a dominant 6–0 performance. She restricted her unforced errors to just three while converting all her break points.
- Third Set: The final set saw fluctuating momentum. Bencic was broken early, and although she managed to break back, she ultimately struggled to maintain control, losing 6–4.
Crucial Moments
The sixth game of the third set was pivotal. Bencic failed to convert two critical break points that could have shifted the match in her favor. This missed opportunity allowed Bartůňková to secure a lead and ultimately seal her surprising victory.
What’s Next for Bartůňková
With this monumental win, Nikola Bartůňková will advance to the third round. She is set to face Belgian 21st seed Elise Mertens, marking a significant step in her Grand Slam debut.
