Melbourne: Swiss Belinda Bencic sent an early shockwave through the Australian Open here Monday by toppling last year’s finalist Venus Williams on an opening day of carnage for American tennis.
With defending champion and new mum Serena absent, 20-year-old Bencic’s brilliant 6-3, 7-5 win under the Rod Laver Arena roof ensured there would not be a Williams sister in the second round of the tournament for the first time in over 20 years.
It was a bad day for American women as US Open champion Sloane Stephens tumbled in three sets against China’s plucky Zhang Shuai, before 10th seed Coco Vandeweghe was sent packing in two by Hungary’s Timea Babos.
For former World No.7 Bencic, victory was another step on an impressive comeback trail from a wrist surgery that saw her tumble out of the top 300 last year before her return in September.
It was also a matter of felling a seven-time Grand Slam-winning idol, having never won a set against her in four previous matches.
“I think (before) I had a little bit too much respect, played a little bit careful and safe,” Bencic told reporters. “This time, I really tried to come out and, you know, hit it big. Also tactically be smart on the court.”
The stark contrast in form between last year’s two first-time Grand Slam champions continued as Stephens lost in the first round while French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko stormed into round two.
Since the US Open triumph, Stephens has not won a match since – a run that continued with a 6-2, 6-7(2-7), 2-6 defeat by China’s Shuai on the Margaret Court Arena.
Unlike Stephens, the 20-year-old Ostapenko had no problems as she outgunned Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone 6-1, 6-4.
Other results
Caroline Wozniacki bt Mihaela Buz?rnescu 6-2, 6-3
Kiki Bertens bt CiCi Bellis 7-6(7-5), 6-4, 6-2
Julia Görges bt Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-4
Mona Barthel bt Monica Niculescu 6-4, 7-5
Reuters