Belinda Bencic started 2023 after a very strong 2022. She played a key role in Switzerland winning the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time, claimed a title in Charleston and finished with a year-end ranking of world #12. Did she have further success in 2023?
Belinda Bencic 2023 Season Review
The Highs
Bencic won two titles in 2023. The first of these was in her opening tournament of the year in Adelaide. She opened the season by defeating two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza in straight sets, before another two-set triumph against Anna Kalinskaya. Her toughest victory was in a three-set battle with Caroline Garcia in the quarterfinal. After receiving a walkover in the semifinal, Bencic then crushed Daria Kasatkina 6-0 6-2 in the final to make the perfect start to the season.
The Swiss #1’s second title came less than a month later in Abu Dhabi. Bencic was the second seed, and did not drop a set in her three matches to reach the final. This included a very impressive 6-2 6-3 win against Beatriz Haddad Maia. She then faced Liudmila Samsonova, and dropped the first set 6-1. However, Bencic showed superb fighting spirit to prevail 1-6 7-6 6-4, and lift the trophy in Abu Dhabi, despite being down three championship points.
Bencic also came close to defending the title she won last year on the clay courts in Charleston. Her run to the final included an impressive semifinal showing against Jessica Pegula to win in straight sets. Ons Jabeur proved to be too strong in the final, with last year’s champion falling 6-7 4-6.
At the Grand Slams, Bencic managed three fourth-round appearances. The eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka stopped her at the Australian Open in straight sets. Bencic lost an epic Wimbledon fourth-round to world #1 Iga Swiatek 7-6 6-7 3-6, despite holding match points. At the US Open, she exited in round 4 after a straight sets defeat to Sorana Cirstea.
Bencic’s best run at WTA 1000 level was in Montreal. She progressed to the quarterfinal, prevailing against two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova en route to that stage. Liudmila Samsonova defeated the eight-time WTA champion in the quarterfinal.
The Lows
Bencic may have some Grand Slam regrets from 2023. She fell in the first-round of the French Open to Elina Avanesyan. This was a shock, and probably her most disappointing defeat of 2023. Overcoming Sabalenka in Melbourne was always a formidable task, but better chances were missed at Wimbledon and the US Open to make a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Reaching the fourth-round of both events is still a very good achievement. However, Bencic had chances to beat Swiatek she did not take at Wimbledon, and Cirstea, despite the good form she was in, presented a great opportunity that was not seized in New York.
Bencic also had to cut her season short. The two-time WTA 1000 winner withdrew from Guadalajara from food poisoning in September. It took her a while to recover, and eventually the Abu Dhabi champion elected to skip the Asian swing and end her season early.
Summary
Overall, 2023 was a very solid year for Bencic. Although there was no major run at a Grand Slam, she performed extremely solidly, and finished the year inside the top 20, despite ending her season early.
However, it is unclear how much Bencic will play in 2024. The Swiss shared the exciting news that she was expecting her first child, with an expected due date in March, which raises doubts as to whether she will be back on courtin time to defend her Olympic title.
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
