Bencic Advances as Kalinskaya Retires at Adelaide International

Swiss qualifier Belinda Bencic advanced to the second round of the Adelaide International after Russian Anna Kalinskaya retired during their match on Tuesday. The encounter took place at Memorial Drive Tennis Park, with Bencic leading 6-2, 1-0 when Kalinskaya, the No. 7 seed, withdrew due to undisclosed reasons.

Bencic, currently ranked No. 421, capitalized on her opponent’s struggles early in the match. Kalinskaya, ranked No. 14, had been a favorite heading into the tournament but was unable to continue after dropping the first set and falling behind in the second. The Swiss player will now face Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the next round.

The Adelaide International, a WTA 500 event, features a prize pool of USD 1,064,510 and attracts top talent from around the world. The tournament is being held on hard courts at Memorial Drive Tennis Park, a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere and history of hosting high-profile matches.

Bencic’s victory marks a significant step in her comeback journey, as she continues to climb the rankings after a challenging period. Her next opponent, Samsonova, is known for her powerful baseline game and will present a formidable challenge.

Other first-round matches at the Adelaide International are ongoing, with players vying for a spot in the later stages of the tournament. The event serves as a crucial warm-up for the Australian Open, which begins later this month in Melbourne.