Belinda Bencic in Miami: A tough loss to Gauff, but already looking ahead

Miami, arguably the most glamorous stop on the WTA Tour. It's a place where tennis meets lifestyle, and where the past often collides with the future. For Belinda Bencic, this year's tournament in Florida felt like a snapshot of her career: close to the very top, featuring a gutsy comeback, but ultimately ending in a painful loss. The Swiss from Eastern Switzerland fell to Coco Gauff in the round of 16, with scores of 6-7, 6-4, 2-6.

A match of two halves

Anyone who watched knows the scoreline doesn't tell the full story. In the first set, Bencic showed exactly why she became an Olympic champion in Tokyo 2021. She broke Gauff early and seemed to have the match under control. But as has often happened this year, the crucial point slipped away from her in the tiebreak. Gauff, known for her mental strength, capitalised ruthlessly.

Then came the second set. And with it, the vintage Belinda. She was chasing down every ball in her corner, putting on a defensive display that you'd usually only see from the true greats. It was a classic performance worthy of the Final Round Robin stage – that phase of a tournament where it's do-or-die, and where she traditionally elevates her game. She levelled the match at 6-4, and you could feel a massive upset brewing in the stadium.

Unfortunately, the momentum slipped away in the deciding set. Two early breaks were the knockout punch. Against an athlete like Gauff, who seems practically at home in Miami, you simply can't afford to go 0-40 down on your own serve. Not even Swiss fighting spirit can salvage that.

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 running drove Gauff to frustration. It was reminiscent of that legendary final against Ashleigh Barty, the one she won in the Final Round Robin of the WTA Championships back in 2019. Back then, she was the hunter, retrieving every single ball.

Today, despite the loss, she was exactly that: an incredibly tough opponent. The numbers speak for themselves: in rallies of nine shots or more, Bencic had the clear edge in the second set. She forced Gauff into errors the American usually doesn't make. If she can sustain that level consistently over two hours, we'll be seeing her in the late stages again soon – whether that's against an Ekaterina Alexandrova or an Ashlyn Krueger. Those players are dangerous, but they don't bring the relentless pressure of a top-five player.

Swiss precision in the details

What personally excites me almost as much as her fighting spirit is the fact that Belinda Bencic is not only a sporting icon but a true ambassador for Swiss culture. During the Miami tournament, she was sporting her iconic watch again, but it's another detail that true connoisseurs will appreciate. Are you familiar with the Caran d'Ache Ecridor Ballpoint Match Point Belinda Bencic?

• 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 more than just a pen – it's a statement. Much like Bencic's game: elegant, powerful, and with a distinct signature style.

This detail shows how deeply Belinda is intertwined with her Swiss identity. She stands not only for sporting excellence but also for the legacy of brands like Caran d’Ache. In a city like Miami, where the glamour can sometimes feel surface-level, she brings this grounded precision onto the court.

Looking ahead

Now it's about holding her head high, packing the bags, and focusing on the weeks ahead. Miami was just one stop. For me, it's clear: this version of Bencic is on the right track. The patches where she's playing her best tennis are getting longer, the dips shorter. Losing to Gauff is no disgrace – it was a high-quality contest between two top players.

I'm excited to see what comes next. Summer is approaching, and the grass-court season is just around the corner. If Belinda keeps this up, we'll be treated to many more three-set thrillers like this one throughout the year – except this time, her name might be the one on the winner's list. 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.