Belinda Bencic manhandles Garbine Muguruza in straight sets

Belinda Bencic feeling positive during her round of 16 match with Garbine Muguruza at the National Bank Open. 

Belinda Bencic didn’t expect to have another easy night on center court at the National Bank Open Thursday night. The 12th seed kept her game in check, defeating Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-3 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. The 25-year-old was perfect on breakpoints and won 84 percent of points from the first serve.

Both players pulled off big wins yesterday, with the Spaniard shaking off all the rust in her win over the tough Kaia Kanepi in straight sets. The Swiss star repeated 2015 with her upset of Serena Williams in straight sets, disappointing the crowd. Meeting for the first time in four years makes this matchup a huge deal for both. Both won against the other on hard courts, and in serious moments of the tournaments. Despite the eighth seed having just one match under her belt recently, her experience against the resurgent Swiss star was enough to make it a tight battle.

Bencic served up shots to Muguruza, who struggled to prep for the forehands, failing to get into the game. She suffered a break in the second as the 12th seed brought in her backhanded attack that bested the Spaniard for a 2-0 lead. Back on serve in the third, Bencic opened the door for Muguruza, notching double faults but getting the score to deuce. Despite making a third, she somehow held the game to take another step ahead.

Tremendous focus on the returns handed the Swiss star a commanding 4-0 run on Muguruza, who struggled to find her niche. Bencic marched on but recorded her fourth double fault at 40-0. She put it behind her fast and closed out the fifth game, continuing her dominance. With one chance left to avoid the shutout, Muguruza dug in on serve and pressed the forehand to secure the service.

Bencic let nothing bother her on the court and, in the seventh, rushed to victory, ending the set in 27 minutes. Despite four double faults, the 12th seed outscored Muguruza 28-13, with ten winners and 93 percent points won on the first serve. The 28-year-old knew it was time to get her act together and be on the right side of the scoreboard. The eighth seed proved so with a hold to start the second set.

She added a break but was broken right back by Bencic, who didn’t want her opponent getting out of control. By the fifth game, it was Muguruza still ahead with a break up on the Swiss, who served for a chance to level. Bencic drew three errors from the Spaniard until a return landed wide from her end. Losing a point was not an issue as she forced another long ball return from the eighth seed, making it three-all.

A break of serve in the seventh for Bencic was a game-changer, regaining control of the momentum. Mistakes in the eighth allowed Muguruza a chance to break back, but a net-front smash for the Swiss forced deuce. Muguruza blew her AD point chances and, three points later, found herself facing a 3-5 elimination scenario. The 28-year-old served to stay in the fight, but Bencic was there for every hit from across the net. After an error from Muguruza, Bencic put the match to bed with a line drive winner ending one hour and three minutes under the lights.

Bencic improved her record in Canada to 11-1 since her 2015 title and would take on Beatriz Haddad Maia. “I think every match is really difficult,” said Bencic during her on-court interview. “Bea has played some great matches throughout the grass season, and she’s a tricky lefty, very tough, she has a good serve, and I think it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m really happy to play another match here.”