Iga Swiatek shows champion’s mentality as she saves double match point to win a thriller against Belinda Bencic at Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic play out a thriller at Centre Court in the fourth round of the Wimbledon 2023.

Iga Swiatek shows champion’s mentality as she saves double match point to win a thriller against Belinda Bencic at Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek (Credits: Wimbledon)

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek proved her tag of being the top seed in an exciting Centre Court clash at Wimbledon 2023. Up against reigning Olympics Gold medallist Belinda Bencic, the Pole won the match 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3. She conceded a set for the first time this week. The second set was no different for her as she found herself defending two match points.

But being on the serve helped her defend it and force a tiebreaker. The first tiebreaker’s mistakes were then improved as she forced a third set with a comfortable margin in the tiebreaker. Swiatek was on the get-go in the third set from the first point. She quickly raced to a 4-1 lead before breaking Bencic to make it 5-2.

YouTube video

Bencic went on to hold her serve to make it 5-3 as Swiatek switched to new balls in the third set. Finding herself down in the game, Swiatek rallied well to serve out the match and book her place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the first time. Unlike Bencic, Swiatek didn’t require multiple match points as she broke Swiss hearts to advance ahead.

FS Video

Keep Exploring: Mirra Andreeva refuses any comparison to Emma Raducanu’s US Open run as she makes the Wimbledon fourth round

Iga Swiatek continues to put pressure on Aryna Sabalenka

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Credits: Yahoo Sports)

The win now keeps pressure on Aryna Sabalenka as the two Grand Slam champions are in a race at Wimbledon. Race, not only for the title but also for the World No. 1 spot. For Sabalenka, the situation is clear, hope Swiatek doesn’t make the finals and she goes on to win the title. Any other scenario and the Pole will continue to be on the pole in the rankings.

While Swiatek books her spot in the quarter-finals for the first time at the Championships, Sabalenka will take on Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova. A former semi-finalist at the Championships and a winner of a Grand Slam this year, Sabalenka will look to make easy work and move to the last-8 in a bid to outdo Swiatek this year.

For Swiatek, it was a monumental win not only in terms of results but for her psychology as well. Criticized for her grass court results, she not only proved her skillset but also her mentality to dig out a win from a near defeat in the match on one of tennis’ most prestigious courts.

In case you missed it: