“I always got stuck in the 4th round”: Belinda Bencic returns to Grand Slam quarters after motherhood break

Monday, 07 July 2025 at 18:00

Belinda Bencic was elated after reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals and overcoming the fourth-round hurdle, following three consecutive losses at the same stage in Grand Slam tournaments. The Swiss tennis player defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova in a tough battle, where she squandered five set points before securing a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory.

The Tokyo 2020 gold medalist achieved her best Grand Slam performance since the 2021 US Open, where she also reached the quarterfinals. Bencic also guarantees her return to the top-25, just six months after her comeback to the courts at the beginning of the year – following a one-year career break for maternity.

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The former World No. 4 was particularly emotional after defeating Alexandrova, and was even seen in tears at the end of the match. “I always got stuck in the 4th round,” she laughed in her on-court interview. “It was so important for me today to be able to breakthrough to the quarterfinals. It’s crazy. It’s really a dream come true. It’s crazy. I’m so happy.”

The Swiss had been stopped in the fourth round of Wimbledon three times (2015, 2018, and 2023), in addition to four other fourth-round losses at the Australian Open and US Open. In fact, the Swiss had been halted in the fourth round in four of her last five Grand Slam appearances, including her participation in the Australian Open at the start of the year.

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Bencic, 28, returned to Wimbledon after two years, though this time with a new addition to her family: her one-year-old daughter, Bella. Bencic spoke about the love she and her daughter have for the traditional Wimbledon strawberries. “After the tournament... we have the all-white dress code so we’re trying to look clean. Without the cream for now. Bella is really enjoying them. She’s always really dirty so I’m glad we have a wash machine.”

Bencic is still waiting to find out her opponent, who will be the winner between Mirra Andreeva (No. 7) and Emma Navarro (10th). In three previous Major quarterfinal appearances, she has only advanced to the semifinals once: back in the 2018 US Open, where she fell to eventual champion Bianca Andreescu.

Match Statistics Alexandrova vs. Bencic

Alexandrova	VS	Bencic
	Service
3	Aces	1
5	Double Faults	3
66% (47/71)	1st Service Percentage	66% (61/92)
62% (29/47)	1st Service Points Won	62% (38/61)
38% (9/24)	2nd Service Points Won	53% (17/32)
33% (2/6)	Break Points Saved	73% (8/11)
64% (7/11)	Service Games	73% (8/11)
	Return
38% (23/61)	1st Return Points Won	38% (18/47)
47% (15/32)	2nd Return Points Won	63% (15/24)
-	Break Points Saved	-
	Other
1h 58m	Match Duration	1h 58m

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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