BELINDA BENCIC CLAIMS MAIDEN TENNIS TITLE AT AEGON INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE

Written by: Staff on 27th June 2015

BELINDA BENCIC CLAIMS MAIDEN TENNIS TITLE AT AEGON INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland on day seven of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 27, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for LTA) |

BELINDA BENCIC CLAIMS MAIDEN TITLE AT AEGON INTERNATIONAL EASTBOURNE

WTA rising star Belinda Bencic (SUI) claimed the first title of her career at the Aegon International Eastbourne on Saturday, beating world No.13 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-4 4-6 6-0.

The youngest player in this year’s Eastbourne draw, aged 18 years and 109 days, Bencic is also the youngest player to win a Premier event since Caroline Wozniacki won New Haven in 2008. She had to stave off a spirited second set comeback by 2008 champion Radwanska before barrelling through the decider to run out the winner in two hours and 13 minutes.

“I was very focused and I played very free,” said Bencic. “I was disappointed I didn’t close out the second set and I was starting to get tired but then I started (the third set) very focused. I (got to) 3-0, so after than I relaxed a little bit and could close it out.”

Bencic credited Martina Hingis for helping her achieve her first title. “She give me a lot of good advice, not just this week but all the time. I practice with her Mum – she’s my coach when I’m back at home – so they have been a big influence on my game.”

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in action during her match with Agnieszka Radwanska on day seven of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 27, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for LTA)

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in action during her match against Belinda Bencic on day seven of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 27, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for LTA)

Having reached the third round at Wimbledon on her first visit in 2014, the Swiss teenager said she was feeling relaxed about this year’s SW19 campaign which sees her face Pironkova in the opening round. “I have so much confidence now that I played the final,” she said. “I have nothing to prove at Wimbledon and can just play relaxed and be satisfied with my results.”

A fast-paced and entertaining doubles final saw Katerina Srebotnik (SLO) and Caroline Garcia (FRA) team up to claim the title over Jie Zheng (CHN) and Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) 7-6(5) 6-2.

Lifting the trophy for the third time at Eastbourne, and her first with partner Garcia, Srebotnik was delighted to celebrate victory at Devonshire Park. “Sometimes there are places where players just feel comfortable and for me that’s Eastbourne,” she said. “I’ve always played well here and always felt comfortable. It’s very important to play well here to get enough matches in for Wimbledon because grass is so specific.

“This is our first title together and somehow I had a feeling in Stuttgart when we lost our second final that perhaps third time lucky, so I’m really, really happy for Caroline especially.”

Finalised Aegon International Eastbourne singles, doubles and qualifying draws are attached.

Main Draw Singles – click here

Main Draw Doubles – click here

Singles Qualifying – click here

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland on day seven of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 27, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for LTA)

Topics: AEGON International, Agnieszka Radwanska, Belinda Bencic, Eastbourne, Grass tennis, Sports, Wta

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10sBalls_com says:

June 27, 2015 at 11:54 am

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