Belinda Bencic makes round three in straight sets win over Miyazaki

Belinda Bencic had her eyes on the ball during the second round match of the US Open. 

Belinda Bencic faced an impressive rookie on the tour but pushed herself into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday. Yuriko Miyazaki had history against the 15th seed when they were kids and challenged through two sets only to fall 6-3, 6-3 on Court Five at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.

The Swiss star had a comfortable finish to her opening round, giving up six games in her straight sets result. Being in gear set her up for another first-time meeting with the Brit, who did well in her US Open debut. She remains hot on a four-match streak, dropping one set so far. Still looking for a top 90 career win, Miyazaki would have a hard time expecting one against a resurgent Bencic.

The 15th seed opened service, closing her game fast with a point to Miyazaki. She applied the pressure against the Brit, forcing deuce and redirecting the ball for the AD point. She finished control of the point with a smash, gaining an early break. Bencic consolidated in the third, opening the gap wider on Miyazaki, who continued to wait for her first game win. Using her second serve, Miyazaki played through the points to beat the Swiss star in the fourth.

The 27-year-old scored her first point on Bencic’s first serve, but the 15th seed made it 4-1. Miyazaki notched another service in the sixth, slowing  Bencic, who struggled against the returns. The Swiss struggled to serve the seventh game, losing momentum while her opponent took another step closer. Serving for the set didn’t come any easy for the 15th seed, who recorded the first double fault of the match. She managed to rally back from 0-30, winning the next four to take the set in 44 minutes.

Miyazaki’s second serve was a push for her performance, but the first serve of Bencic held together to move her forward and a great handle on the pressure. She opened the second set breaking Miyazaki’s service and fought to contain service. The 15th seed backed up the break and achieved the double break for a 3-0 lead. Miyazaki answered back in the fourth, crushing Bencic’s second serve shots to produce a break of the 15th seed. The 27-year-old hadn’t held serve in the set, and in the fifth, she got on the board causing Bencic to throw her racket in frustration.

Despite losing the chance for a shutout, Bencic raged to hold serve in the sixth, returning a two-game buffer. She battled the serve of Miyazaki, but the forehand let her down on control of the lead. The Brit took care of it after a few deuces to hold and stay within reach of the Swiss. Bencic remained firm on serve, taking the important step to play for the match. The 15th seed jumped ahead on the scoreboard until an error got Miyazaki into it. She erred back, giving Bencic a match point, but watched a mishit from the Swiss negate that.

Two chances were left for the 26-year-old and a final error from Miyazaki into the net made Bencic the first player to make the round of 32 after 1 hour and 30 minutes.