Belinda Bencic in Miami: Loss to Gauff, but Already Looking Ahead

Miami – easily the most glamorous stop on the WTA tour. It’s a place where tennis meets lifestyle, and often where the past meets the future. For Belinda Bencic, this year’s tournament in Florida felt like a snapshot of her career: so close to the absolute top of the game, delivering an impressive comeback, but ultimately suffering a painful loss. The Swiss from Eastern Switzerland went down to Coco Gauff in the round of 16, 6-7, 6-4, 2-6.

A Match of Two Halves

If you watched the match, you know the scoreline doesn't tell the full story. In the first set, Bencic showed exactly why she became Olympic champion in Tokyo in 2021. She broke Gauff early and looked to be in control. But, as has happened a few times this year, it was the crucial points that slipped away in the tiebreak. Gauff, renowned for her mental strength, was ice-cold in capitalising.

Then came the second set. And with it, the vintage Belinda. She chased down every ball sent her way, putting on a defensive masterclass that you’d normally only see from the absolute greats. It was a classic display of Final Group Stage quality – that phase of a tournament where everything is on the line, and where she traditionally raises her game. She levelled the match at 6-4, and you could feel the crowd in the stadium sensing a massive upset was brewing.

Unfortunately, the momentum fizzled in the deciding set. Two early breaks were the knockout blow. Against an athlete like Gauff, who practically plays on home turf in Miami, you simply can’t afford to give up a 0-40 lead on your own serve. Even Swiss fighting spirit has its limits.

Defence Wins Championships – But Not Always Against Gauff

Gauff said something after the match that stuck with me: “Defense wins championships”. And she’s right. Bencic proved that in the second set. Her relentless covering of the court drove Gauff to frustration. It was reminiscent of her legendary final against Ashleigh Barty, which she won in the Final Group Stage of the WTA Championships back in 2019. Back then, she was the hunter, retrieving every ball.

Despite the loss today, she was exactly that: an incredibly tough opponent. The stats speak for themselves: in rallies of nine shots or more, Bencic had a clear edge in the second set. She forced errors from Gauff that the American doesn’t usually make. If she can sustain that level consistently for over two hours, we’ll be seeing her in the later rounds again soon – whether she’s facing someone like Ekaterina Alexandrova or Ashlyn Krueger. Both are dangerous players, but they don’t bring the same relentless pressure as a top-five talent.

Swiss Precision in the Details

What almost pleases me more than the fighting performance, though, is the fact that Belinda Bencic is not just a sporting ambassador, but a cultural one for Switzerland. During the Miami tournament, she was again wearing her iconic watch, but there’s another detail that true connoisseurs appreciate. Are you familiar with the Caran d'Ache Ecridor Ballpoint Pen Match Point Belinda Bencic?

• It's a tribute to her greatest achievements, immortalised in hexagonal, gold-plated silver.
• The engraved pattern evokes a tennis net, with a design as precise as her backhand slice.
• It’s not just a pen – it’s a statement. Much like Bencic’s game: elegant, powerful, and with a distinctive signature style.

This detail shows how deeply Belinda is connected to her Swiss identity. She represents not only sporting excellence but also the heritage of brands like Caran d’Ache. In a city like Miami, where the glitz and glamour can sometimes feel superficial, she brings that grounded precision and quality to the court.

Looking Ahead

Now, it’s about brushing off the disappointment, packing the bags, and focusing on the weeks ahead. Miami was just one stop along the way. For me, it’s clear: this version of Bencic is on the right track. The stretches where she plays her best tennis are getting longer, and the dips are getting shorter. Losing to Gauff is no disgrace – it was a top-tier battle between two elite players.

I’m keen to see what comes next. Summer is approaching, and the grass-court season is just around the corner. And if Belinda keeps this up, we’re going to be treated to many more of these three-set thrillers this year – only this time, perhaps with her name on the winner's list at the end. After all, we all know: when the Finals roll around, when the biggest titles are on the line, that’s when Belinda Bencic is in her element.