Bencic meltdown - ESPN Video
She was down, out and in tears. But somehow 12th-seeded Belinda Bencic found a way to rally for a 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over Japan’s Misaki Doi on Wednesday in New York.
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“I was really mad,” Bencic admitted to reporters afterwards. “I was just so frustrated today. I think we all have not-so-good days, but I was very frustrated for the line calls and the referee.”
She added: “I know I shouldn't have, like, behaved like that. For sure I know that. But sometimes I just can't control myself right now. I for sure have to be working on that, but I think I'm not the only one who would freak out like this.”
The behavior was bad, but perhaps more telling was the response. The 18-year-old gatherered herself to save three match points while serving at 5-6 in the third set, then took the tiebreaker to level up with Doi. She then saved all four break points she faced in the decider to claim the victory.
This was Bencic at her chair prior to that pivotal game. It looked like a lost cause at this point, but the 18-year-old somehow found her way.
Bencic apologized for her behavior after the match:
When asked if she’d ever cried like that on court before, Bencic was quick to flash her sense of humor.
“You should see me under-12 or under-14,” she said.
The Swiss will face Venus Williams in the third round on Friday.