Bencic in quarter-final Ricoh Open despite bad start

Belinda Bencic needed some time to get into form in her second match at the Ricoh Open,  but after losing the first set to Vravara Lepchenko (WTA-65), she improved her play and the top seed won the match: 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Lepchenko placed the first break at 2-1 after Bencic made a forehand mistake. The latter seemed irritated and did not survive the break.

The Swiss started well in the second set and played to 2-0 advantage, but Lepchenko re-started using her prescriptive flat shots and leveled the standing. Bencic placed a new break at 4-3 after an imperative point and balanced the match.

The battle quickly finished in the third set and the American increasingly made mistakes. The world number eight reigned supreme and finished the game at 5-2 after an unnecessary forehand fault by her opponent.

To reach the last four, Bencic has to deal with compatriot Viktorija Golubic (WTA-113). Bencic and Golubic played doubles together this week, but had no luck. Qualifier Golubic defeated another qualifier, Risa Ozaki (WTA-124).

Ostapenko eliminated

Fourth seed Jelena Ostapenko (WTA-39) has ended her adventure in Rosmalen. The Latvian was, surprisingly, defeated by Kateryna Kozlova (WTA-104): 7-5, 6-2.

The Ukrainian will meet American Madison Brengle (WTA-68) in her next match.