Eighteen-year-old Belinda Bencic continued to impress on Saturday with her fourth straight victory over number one seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open and will next face .
This has been a breakout season for the Swiss player, as she has dismantled the likes of Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Simona Halep, and even Serena Williams in previous matches this year, earning an 8-2 record against Top 10 players. With a win in the finals, Bencic herself would break into the Top 10 for the first time in her career.
In today’s 6-2 6-4 victory, the eighth-seeded Bencic stayed strong on her serve and took advantage of opportunities, converting four of ten break point chances. Although the match displayed quality play from both players, the Swiss remained a step ahead of Wozniacki.
In the second semifinal match, Agnieska Radwanska advanced to the final with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova. Cibulkova started the match strong, leading in the first set 4-2 until Radwanska stormed back to win ten of the last eleven games to clinch the victory. The Pole has a lucky streak at the Tokyo Pan Pacific Open, winning outright in 2011 and reaching the finals once again in 2012.
For both players, the upcoming match brings high stakes. Like Bencic, Radwanska is vying for a spot in the Top 10, and both players are competing for spots at this year’s WTA Finals. This is a must-see final by all accounts!
