Playing at the tournament where she triumphed on her debut more than a decade ago, world No. 14 Belinda Bencic continued her strong season with a commanding 6-4 6-0 victory over left-hander Alexandra Eala in Toronto, ending the Filipina’s seven-match winning streak.
Bencic, who regularly travels with her toddler daughter Bella, had never faced the 21-year-old Eala before but quickly established her authority on court. On Sunday night, the 12th seed took a one-break lead twice in the opening set, but Eala fought back to level at 4-4. Bencic then took charge in the ninth game, breaking Eala to move 5-4 ahead and serving out the set 6-4 before winning all six games in the second to seal victory in one hour and 14 minutes.
Wearing the popular Asics Fall Match Jacquard Dress, the former Canadian Open champion showed the experience that has made her one of the tournament’s most successful players. Bencic won the title on her debut in 2015, beating Simona Halep in the final and becoming the second woman from Switzerland to triumph at the tournament, after Martina Hingis in 2000 and 1999.
This latest win is 18th of Bencic’s career at the National Bank Open, which is more than she has recorded at any other WTA 1000 event. Moreover, she has now won 15 of her 19 matches on hard courts this season, including a perfect 5-0 singles record at the United Cup, where her results helped Switzerland finish runners-up.
What’s also interesting is that Bencic hates playing against left-handers such as Eala, but her winning streak against them is actually 10, dating back to 2024, as the WTA pointed out. Still, the Olympic gold medalist believes the run is simply a coincidence:
It’s weird for me as well because I really hate playing lefties and it’s just not comfortable, like the entire match you are uncomfortable, but maybe I feel like because I have good timing, I’m kind of able to switch.
Bencic will face fourth seed Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals in what will be their ninth career meeting. The American has won their past four meetings and leads the head-to-head 6-2.
