Belinda Bencic books Abu Dhabi quarter-final over Marta Kostyuk

A very close match in Abu Dhabi between Bencic and Kostyuk finished with the former emerging victorious in two sets 6-4 7-5 to book the quarter-finals.

Both Kostyuk and Bencic opened the season well and this was another good match by both but Bencic proved a bit better today. The first few games didn't offer much excitement as both players were able to win their serves rather comfortably. Bencic was the only player who would work her way to a break point and convert it for the 6-4 set.

The second one opened with Bencic riding that momentum for an early 2-0 lead. Kostyuk responded by winning three games in a row and even taking a 5-3 lead later on. That would be the last good thing she would do in this match as then Bencic put together her run going 4-0 to close out the match 7-5.

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It was a very good match from Kostyuk but she simply didn't get the job fully done. Too inconsistent to defeat a very aggressive and solid Bencic. The Swiss player moves on to the quarter-final.