Maria Sharapova beats Belinda Bencic, sets up clash with Serena Williams
MELBOURNE, Australia — And we’re all set for a Maria Sharapova-Serena Williams rematch at the Australian Open.
Sharapova hit a career-high 21 aces Sunday afternoon under a closed roof at the Australian Open, withstanding a stiff challenge from Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic 7-5, 7-5. She advanced to the quarterfinals, where she’ll meet world No. 1 and defending champion Serena Williams, who came on court just after her match and won in less than an hour.
Here’s what went down inside Rod Laver Arena.
Scoreline: [5] Maria Sharapova (RUS) def. [12] Belinda Bencic (SUI) 7-5, 7-5
Bencic, 18, is one of the most highly touted up-and-coming players, having beaten Williams a year ago in Toronto. She is a mentee of countrywoman Martina Hingis, the three-time Australian Open champion. The two were meeting for the first time.
What it means: Sharapova is through to an eighth Australian Open quarterfinal, where she faces Williams in what was last year’s final. The American won that match and has an astounding 18-2 head-to-head record against her Russian rival, who hasn’t beaten her since 2004 – 17 matches in a row.
How it happened: Bencic saved set points at 4-5 serving in the first, but couldn’t do so again at 5-6. Sharapova closed out a tight first set in 64 minutes thanks to a Bencic error off the backhand wing.
The two went toe-to-toe from the baseline in the second set, as well, knocking ball after ball at one another. There were no breaks in the second set until the ultimate game, when Sharapova clocked a backhand return at Bencic’s feet that was called out by the linesperson. The ball landed in, however, as the Hawk-Eye review showed, sending Sharapova into the last eight and causing her to erupt into a delighted scream.
Key stat: Those 21 aces were the most in Sharapova’s career and the sixth highest total in a women’s match ever. Earlier this week, Krystina Pliskova set the record with 31. Sharapova was at her aggressive best, firing 58 winners overall to just 10 from Bencic. Sharapova won 33 of 39 points on her first serve (thanks in part to those 21 aces), and broke on four occasions.
What she said: “This must be the first match I’ve won on a challenge,” a smiling Sharapova said on the court after the win. “It felt like it was on the line. It felt like it was a clean ball.”
Sharapova said she was wary of Bencic.
“These are the players that will ultimately take our spot, but not just yet,” she told commentator Rennae Stubbs, laughing. “She has a great game and she’s had a great [last] season. It’s always great to play against a player for the first time.”
Rain was present in Melbourne again on Sunday.
“I’ve played more matches indoor than outdoor so far this tournament,” Sharapova noted. “It’s the first time in my career at the Australian Open where I’ve played three times in a row under the roof. I would like to play outdoors, since this is an outdoor tournament, but I’ll do whatever is necessary.”
PHOTOS: Best of the Australian Open