Eight months after giving birth to her first child, Belinda Bencic will chase the W125 title in Angers. The former world no. 4 displayed her A-game in the first four encounters on an indoor court. Belinda dropped 14 games in eight sets, dominating serve and return en route to the title clash.
Bencic dropped serve a couple of times this week, outplaying her opponents with rock-solid tennis and setting the final battle against the 3rd seed Alycia Parks. If she wins, the Swiss will lift her first W125 trophy since November 2017.
Belinda Bencic & Dominika Salkova, Angers 2024© Stream screenshot
Belinda faced the young Slovak Dominika Salkova in the semi-final. The more experienced player scored a 6-1, 6-2 triumph in 56 minutes, sailing over the top and remaining on the title course. As in the previous matches this week, Belinda looked impressive on serve and return.
The former world no. 4 served at 75% and made a big difference in comparison to her rival’s 42%. Belinda lost nine points in her games and saved one of two break points. The Swiss stole 64% of the return points, pushing the young opponent to the limits and providing six breaks.
Le TGV Bencic entre en gare 🚄
Belinda Bencic rejoint Alycia Parks en finale, en s’imposant 6-1 6-2 en 56 minutes face à Dominika Salkova pic.twitter.com/3UaeomBqci
— Open In Arte Angers Loire (@LoireOpen) December 7, 2024
Bencic sails past Salkova
Dominika made a terrible start, getting broken four times in the opening set! Bencic painted a backhand down the line return winner in the first game of the duel for a break at 15. Belinda cemented it with a service winner in the second game and made another push on the return in the next one.
Salkova sprayed a forehand error in the third game, dropping serve at love and falling 3-0 behind. Bencic faced issues on serve in the fourth game, hitting a double fault on the second break point and losing serve. The Swiss left that setback behind.
Belinda Bencic, Angers 2024© Stream screenshot
She converted the third break chance in the sixth game with a backhand drive-volley winner for a 4-1 lead. The Swiss secured the sixth game with an ace, extending the gap and forcing her rival to serve to stay in the set. Dominika played another loose service game.
The Slovak hit a double fault and dropped serve at love, propelling the Swiss 6-1 in front in 26 minutes. Belinda gained a boost and lost only a couple of points behind the initial shot in the second set. Bencic held at love in the first game and stepped in on the return at 1-0.
Belinda Bencic is into her first final after giving birth 🥳 pic.twitter.com/ucDgSmKPdG
— Simon (@BelleBienne) December 7, 2024
The former world no. 4 provided a break with a backhand down the line winner, earning her fifth consecutive break and extending the streak. The Swiss fired a service winner in the third game for a hold at 15 and a 3-0 advantage, sailing toward the top.
Salkova saved a break point in the fourth game and provided her first hold of the duel. Bencic fired a backhand down the line winner in the fifth game for a hold at love and 4-1. The young Slovak secured the sixth game with a forehand down the line winner, remaining in touch.
However, Bencic delivered another hold at love for 5-2, keeping the pressure on the other side. Dominika missed a game point in the eighth game and faced a match point. Belinda converted it with a deep return and a forced error, sailing into the title clash.
Alycia Parks joins Bencic in the final
The 23-year-old Alycia Parks will battle against Belinda in Sunday’s final. The American battled against Mona Barthel in the semi-final and won 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in an hour and 45 minutes. Thus, Parks will chase her third W125 title of the season, the first since Warsaw in July.
Alycia Parks, Angers 2024© Stream screenshot
Alycia fired ten aces and outplayed her rival behind the second serve. She claimed four points more than her opponent and prevailed in the pivotal moments. The American saved six of eight break points and grabbed three breaks from 14 opportunities.
Mona missed a game point in the third game of the encounter. She hit a double fault on a break point to fall 2-1 behind. They missed seven break points in games five and six, with Parks holding in the latter for 4-2 with a service winner.
Alycia landed a forehand winner in the seventh game, providing her second break and extending the gap. The American saved a break point at 5-2 and held with a forced error. The German survived issues in three service games of the second set.
Alycia Parks, Angers 2024© Stream screenshot
Barthel grabbed breaks in games two and six. She held with a winner at the net in the seventh game for 6-1, forcing a decider and gaining momentum. However, Parks stepped in and sailed through her service games. She held in the fifth game with a service winner for 3-2.
The American made a push on the return in the next one and drew the rival’s mistake with a deep return for 4-2. Alycia confirmed the break with a forehand winner in game seven and served for the win at 5-3. Parks sealed the deal with an ace down the T line for a place in the title clash.
Tennis World USA